Fort Mojave Indian Tribe Fights for Colorado River Water Rights

The Fort Mojave Indian Tribe is fighting to secure its water rights as the federal government, states, and cities negotiate the future management of the Colorado River. The tribe's reservation spans Arizona, California, and Nevada, with 17 miles of the river flowing through its territory.

Currently allotted approximately 133,000 acre-feet of water annually, the tribe uses the majority of this resource for upland cotton and alfalfa operations. These agricultural ventures provide the primary funding for critical community services, including an elementary school, healthcare, and housing.

Tribe Chairman Timothy Williams has expressed concern that tribes are frequently excluded from the high-level negotiations determining the river's future. While Williams noted that these uncertainties are the things that "keep us up at night," he asserted that the tribe remains a strong and resilient people that will continue on regardless of the decisions made by outside entities.