The shelves and prices at your local grocery store might look a little different soon. The Colorado River, which provides water for about 15 percent of our nation’s agriculture, is shrinking, and the current water-sharing agreement expires in 2026.

The Imperial Valley in Southern California is 100% dependent on the Colorado River for its water. This valley receives less than three inches of rain a year, but still produces about two-thirds of the country’s winter produce.

A farm worker carries boxes through a broccoli field. (Sunny Tsai/FOXBusiness)

The farmers of the valley say the decrease in water levels and competing interests over the use of the river will adversely affect the nation’s food supply.

“A lot of people say that the Colorado River and the declining water supply is a problem that affects 40 million people, because they are the ones who depend on it. I think that number is too low. I think 100 million people they depend on Colorado water,” said fourth-generation farmer Andrew Leimgruber.

“When you’re between November and March, the vast majority of your lettuce, broccoli, carrots, all your winter vegetables come from the Imperial Valley or across the Colorado River from us in Yuma, Arizona,” he said Leimgruber. .

Leimgruber checks the sprinklers in his irrigation system. (Sunny Tsai/FOXBusiness)

The Colorado River is divided between seven states and Mexico. The farmers of the Imperial Valley are the biggest users of the river’s water.

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If the valley cannot produce enough crops, it can cause long term problems.

“So the big problem for us in California is our rising labor cost, but also the ability to withstand pest pressure and things like that. One problem with the lack of water is the lack of diversity in the crops. Having this diversity allows us to keep pests under control,” said Benson Farms manager Stephen Benson.

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Because of low water levels, some farmers in the valley are paid not to grow certain crops or to use less water. This, however, is not always enough.

“I can say it doesn’t cover our costs all the time. For example, if I’m going to install drip irrigation, I need to have $1,000 per acre. I don’t come close to making up. And that’s something we have to study more, because as we move forward, conservation becomes more expensive,” Benson said.

Farm workers cutting broccoli. (Sunny Tsai/FOXBusiness)

The Imperial Irrigation District says it is working with farmers on different water conservation efforts to help with part of the problem.

“We’re providing additional funding so they can buy drip systems and sprinkler systems, tap water return systems, all kinds of new technology and precision laser leveling of the field so they can continue farming as usual, but only using less water,” said Tina Shields, district water manager for Imperial Irrigation.

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If the seven states and Mexico can’t come to an agreement on how to use Colorado River water by the 2026 deadline, the Bureau of Reclamation will step in and make the decisions.