Trout, farmers, and cities are competing for the same water in the Southwest - Climate Connections

Summary3 min read

Climate Connections – Episode Summary:
Episode Title: Trout, farmers, and cities are competing for the same water in the Southwest
Air Date: June 29, 2026
Host: Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz
Guest: Kevin Terry (Trout Unlimited)

Main Theme

This episode explores the increasing competition for water in the Southwest United States, specifically focusing on the Rio Grande basin. Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz discusses how climate change-driven drought and reduced mountain snowpack intensify tensions between the needs of cities, agriculture, and native trout populations. The episode highlights collaborative efforts to manage scarce water resources for the benefit of people and ecosystems.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Importance and Strain on the Rio Grande

[00:01] The Rio Grande and its tributaries supply drinking water for millions from Colorado to Mexico, support large-scale farming, and serve as habitat for native cutthroat trout.
The region's water demand is high and growing.

2. Climate Change Impacts

[00:17] Warmer temps and more frequent, intense droughts reduce the mountain snowpack—a primary source feeding the river system.
As snowpack declines, less water enters streams during the critical melt season.

3. Water Management Dilemma

[00:25] To secure irrigation for farmers in spring and summer, reservoirs hold back water during winter.
Holding water upstream in winter months further reduces the flow in rivers and streams during that season.

4. Consequences for Trout Populations

[00:44] Quote from Kevin Terry:

"That's clearly a threat to the trout populations that exist in these rivers."
(Kevin Terry, 00:44)

5. Collaborative Solutions

[00:49–01:11] Trout Unlimited, led by Kevin Terry, works with multiple stakeholders—farmers, water districts, and more—to coordinate strategic releases of water from reservoirs in winter.
These efforts support ecological health while balancing the needs of agriculture and communities.
[00:59] Quote from Kevin Terry:

"To keep the ecosystems healthy and keep fish as healthy as possible, while at the same time delivering water supplies to downstream communities for other benefits, including augmentation of well depletions supplies for livestock."
(Kevin Terry, 00:59)

6. Call for Cooperation

[01:12] In the face of growing scarcity, Terry emphasizes the importance of working together:

"As water becomes scarcer in the region, it's critical that people work together to make the best use of every drop."
(Kevin Terry, 01:12)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

On threats to aquatic life:
"That's clearly a threat to the trout populations that exist in these rivers."
— Kevin Terry (00:44)
On holistic solutions:
"To keep the ecosystems healthy and keep fish as healthy as possible, while at the same time delivering water supplies to downstream communities for other benefits, including augmentation of well depletions supplies for livestock."
— Kevin Terry (00:59)
On the need for collaboration:
"As water becomes scarcer in the region, it's critical that people work together to make the best use of every drop."
— Kevin Terry (01:12)

Key Timestamps

00:01–00:25: Importance of the Rio Grande and impacts of climate change on regional water
00:44: Kevin Terry highlights threat to trout populations
00:49–01:11: Collaborative efforts for winter water releases described
01:12: Emphasis on cooperation as water scarcity grows

This episode succinctly connects the dots between climate change, resource competition, and the promise of local collaboration in water management, providing listeners with a grounded and hopeful perspective on a pressing environmental issue.

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Transcript5 lines

[00:02]
A
I'm Dr. Anthony Liesiewicz and this is Climate Connections. From Colorado to Mexico, the Rio Grande and its tributaries provide drinking water for millions of people, irrigate vast areas of farmland, and provide habitat for native cutthroat trout. So the water is in high demand and strains on the river system are growing. As the climate warms, droughts are becoming more intense and mountain snowpack, which melts into the streams that feed the Rio Grande, is declining. To make sure there will be enough water for farmers in the spring and summer, water is held back during the winter in upstream reservoirs. That reduces the water flowing through streams and rivers in winter months.
[00:45]
B
That's clearly a threat to the trout populations that exist in these rivers.
[00:49]
A
Kevin Terry is with Trout Unlimited. His group works with farmers, water districts and others to arrange releases from upstream reservoirs during the winter when possible,
[00:59]
B
to keep the ecosystems healthy and keep fish as healthy as possible, while at the same time delivering water supplies to downstream communities for other benefits, including augmentation of well depletions supplies for livestock.
[01:13]
A
He says as water becomes scarcer in the region, it's critical that people work together to make the best use of every drop. Climate Connections is produced by the Yale center for Environmental Communication. To learn more about climate change, visit climateconnections.org.