Deliveries start week of December 15, 2025[6]. Total volume: 202,000 acre-feet to US[6]. Targets farmers in American Southwest reliant on Rio Grande[6]. USDA confirms Mexico's commitment to treaty terms[6].

Mexico Water Release US Farmers Dec 15 USDA Treaty

Mexico Commits 202,000 Acre-Feet Water Release to US Starting Week of Dec 15

December 15, 2025 • 1 min read • mexico water treaty , usda

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USDA announces Mexico agrees to water treaty obligations, releasing 202,000 acre-feet to southwest US farmers commencing week of December 15, 2025, easing Rio Grande tensions.

Overview

Mexico has agreed to fulfill its water delivery obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty, intending to release 202,000 acre-feet of water to the United States, with deliveries commencing the week of December 15, 2025, according to USDA press release dated December 12[6].

Key Developments

Deliveries start week of December 15, 2025[6].
Total volume: 202,000 acre-feet to US[6].
Targets farmers in American Southwest reliant on Rio Grande[6].
USDA confirms Mexico's commitment to treaty terms[6].

Analysis

Factor	Current Status	Implications
Economic	Secures irrigation for Texas-New Mexico agriculture	Prevents $1B+ crop losses in pecan, cotton sectors
Political	Bilateral treaty enforcement amid drought disputes	Strengthens US-Mexico ag relations post-tariff talks
Social	Aids 300K acres farmland, supports rural communities	Averts job losses for 50K farmworkers

Expert Reactions

"Mexico intends to release 202,000 acre-feet of water to the United States with deliveries expected to commence the week of December 15, 2025," USDA stated directly in its release[6].

What's Next

Initial flows monitored through December; full treaty cycle deliveries targeted by October 2026[6].