Mexico and the United States are working toward a broad package deal that would help revive the Colorado River Delta.
Seven years ago, the U.S. began working on the project to line an earthen portion of the All-American Canal in Imperial Valley and send the saved water to San Diego. Many in Mexico and the U.S. opposed the lining, saying it prevented seeping water from reaching fields and wetlands in Mexico. The lining project was completed in 2010.
International Boundary and Water Commission spokeswoman Sally Spener said its time to work together.
The Colorado River at Parker Basin in Arizona.
"This joint cooperative process is really an effort to get beyond that," Spener said.
Mexico and the U.S. are discussing a deal that would minimize impacts of river shortage conditions. The agreement supports desalination projects, agriculture conservation and permitting Mexico to store water in the U.S.
Last year’s Easter earthquake in the Mexican state of Baja California damaged irrigation canals in northern Mexico. The U.S. is currently holding water for Mexican farmers until repairs can be completed.