Photos: Colorado River delta water release
Water released from the Morelos Dam on the Colorado River south of Yuma is bringing hope and life back to the dry delta in Mexico. Find the first of Tony Davis' two stories on the region in the print edition of today's Star and the second story on Monday.
Colorado River delta
Abelardo Martinez works to clear a blocked duct which leads water to his fields near Colonia Coahuila, Mexico, through a maze of canals stemming off the Colorado River Wednesday, March 26, 2014. Colorado River water has begun pouring over a barren delta near the U.S.-Mexico border, the result of a landmark bi-national agreement being celebrated Thursday.
Colorado River delta
Other benefits from the planned water release could include the creation of fishing and tourism-related jobs on both sides of the U.S.-Mexican border as well as an increase in groundwater levels .
Colorado River delta
Alma Lidia prepares to water seedlings in a nursery near the Laguna Grande restoration area . Conservation efforts are focusing on encouraging native willow and cottonwood growth in the delta.
Colorado River delta
Alfredo Ramos uses a planting stick to plant willow and cottonwood seedlings at Laguna Grande Restoration Area, Baja, Mexico.
Colorado River delta
The Tucson-based Sonoran Institute is leading efforts to plant and irri- gate several hundred acres of trees in the delta's Laguna Grande area.
Colorado River delta
The Colorado River delta in Mexico on March 20, 2014, before release of water from the Morelos Dam. Courtesy
Colorado River delta
The Colorado River delta in Mexico on March 27, 2014, after release of water from the Morelos Dam.
Colorado River delta
The Colorado River delta in Mexico on March 20, 2014, before release of water from the Morelos Dam.
Colorado River delta
The Colorado River delta in Mexico on March 27, 2014, after release of water from the Morelos Dam.
Colorado River delta
Aerial photos 10 miles south of the Morelos Dam south of Yuma showing water creeping into the dry Colorado River delta after releases beginning after March 22, 2014.
Colorado River delta
Water flowing into the Colorado River delta after a release from the Morelos Dam onTuesday March 25,2014, about six-tenths of a mile upstream of the San Luis bridge, which separates Sonora from Baja California.
Colorado River delta
Aerial photos 10 miles south of the Morelos Dam south of Yuma showing water creeping into the dry Colorado River delta after releases beginning after March 22, 2014.
Colorado River delta
Aerial photos 10 miles south of the Morelos Dam south of Yuma showing water creeping into the dry Colorado River delta after releases beginning after March 22, 2014.
Colorado River delta
Rafting the Colorado River in its delta, about 10 miles downstream of Morelos Dam, March 29, about 11:00 AM, after water releases from the dam into the river.
Colorado River delta
Morelos Dam, looking downstream during the maximum flow release on March 29, 2014, diversion to Mexican irrigation canal system to the right.
Colorado River delta
Alberto Santos crosses water in what is normal a dry riverbed Wednesday, March 26, 2014, in San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico. Colorado River water has begun pouring over a barren delta near the U.S.-Mexico border, the result of a landmark bi-national agreement being celebrated Thursday.
Colorado River delta
A US Border Patrol boat moves up the Colorado River during a ceremony Thursday, March 27, 2014, Los Algodones, Mexico.Colorado River water has begun pouring over a barren delta near the U.S.-Mexico border, the result of a landmark bi-national agreement being celebrated Thursday.
Colorado River delta
Sisters Patricia Munoz, left, Rosa Munoz, center, and Irma Munoz, right, relax in Colorado river water flowing in a normally dry riverbed Thursday, March 27, 2014, in San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico. Colorado River water has begun pouring over a barren delta near the U.S.-Mexico border, the result of a landmark bi-national agreement being celebrated Thursday.
Colorado River delta
Mexican and U.S. officials, dignitaries and residents gather on Thursday, March 27, 2014, on the Morelos Dam in Algodones, Mexico, to celebrate a landmark agreement between the two nations that allows a "pulse flow" of Colorado River to reach the river's delta in Baja Mexico, for the first time in more than five decades. Designed to mimick the way Colorado River flows in the springtime, the pulse flow will amount to about 105,392 acre-feet of water streaming through the dam.
In Colorado River Delta, a surge of joy
The Colorado River Delta in Mexico on March 20, before the release of water from Morelos Dam.
In Colorado River Delta, a surge of joy
The Colorado River Delta one week later. “Rivers look good with water in them,” the photographer remarked.
ALONG THE RIO COLORADO — They came to see the river return, a half-century after U.S. dams kept it from flowing into Mexico.
ALONG THE RIO COLORADO, Baja California — When high levels of water gushed down the Colorado River last week for the first time in more than a…