The Water Information Program

The 23 miles of Colorado River bed that straddles the U.S.-Mexican border near Yuma has eroded over the years into a virtual wasteland. Thick, invasive vegetation has overtaken the riverbed, robbing Border Patrol agents of visibility and creating ideal cover for smugglers and bandits. The only water comes from leaks in an upstream dam or from rainfall, eliminating crucial habitat for endangered birds and other wildlife.There is new hope, though, that a small stretch of this grim wetlands will be transformed into a mini-oasis thanks to a restoration plan that has earned approval from both environmentalists and the U.S. Border Patrol. The project — estimated to cost $7 million to $9 million — would clear harmful non-native vegetation and bring back water and native plants to an approximately 2.2-mile stretch of river covering 435 acres of wetlands, said Charles Flynn, Yuma's riverfront development director.

To view the full article, visit the Arizona Daily Star. For a copy of the original article contact the WIP at (970) 247-1302 or stop by the office at 841 East Second Avenue in Durango.