U.S.-Mexico Hydrodiplomacy: Foundations, Change, and Future Challenges

This research paper examines the evolution of hydrodiplomacy between the United States and Mexico, focusing on the transition from conflict toward cooperation in transboundary water management despite increasing scarcity driven by climate change and development.

• The Treaty of 1944 serves as the primary and most lasting instrument of hydrodiplomacy between the U.S. and Mexico, establishing the apportionment of waters for the Tijuana River, Colorado River, and Rio Grande.
• While water scarcity at the U.S.-Mexico border has worsened due to population growth, economic development, water demand, and climate change, binational institutions have improved their ability to create innovative water management adaptations.

APA

Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (2025). U.S.-Mexico Hydrodiplomacy: Foundations, Change, and Future Challenges. https://iai.int/es/pub_acad/u-s-mexico-hydrodiplomacy-foundations-change-and-future-challenges/

Chicago

Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research. U.S.-Mexico Hydrodiplomacy: Foundations, Change, and Future Challenges. 2025. https://iai.int/es/pub_acad/u-s-mexico-hydrodiplomacy-foundations-change-and-future-challenges/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research |title=U.S.-Mexico Hydrodiplomacy: Foundations, Change, and Future Challenges |date=11 January 2025 |url=https://iai.int/es/pub_acad/u-s-mexico-hydrodiplomacy-foundations-change-and-future-challenges/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{interamericaninstituteforglobalchangeresearch2025usmexico, author = {{Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research}}, title = {{U.S.-Mexico Hydrodiplomacy: Foundations, Change, and Future Challenges}}, institution = {Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research}, year = {2025}, month = jan, url = {https://iai.int/es/pub_acad/u-s-mexico-hydrodiplomacy-foundations-change-and-future-challenges/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }