Water in the West: Analyzing the disconnect between farmers' and policymakers’ perceptions of Colorado River Basin shortages in Arizona

Abstract

The Colorado River Basin is facing a record-breaking megadrought that is depleting water resources and threatening farmers' livelihoods. This article investigates Arizona's water crisis to convey how farmers' worries, perceptions, and experiences about water align and depart from policymakers'. We conducted an ethnography among farmers and policymakers, involving participant observation and interviews, and used iterative qualitative coding to interpret themes. Farmers expressed deeply emotional experiences with water, remarking on the idea that water is central to life in Arizona. In response to constituent concerns, policymakers were willing to go to great lengths to improve the water crisis, but their viewpoints often echoed an “us versus them” and “all is well” mentality that could hinder progress. While farmers tended to prioritize preserving agriculture, policymakers tended to emphasize the importance of investing in development. Ultimately, this study reveals that there remain disconnects between farmers' and policymakers' viewpoints, experiences, and proposed policies.