The limits of the hydrologic border area, as presented in this report, range from 4.5 to 285.2 kilometers from the international boundary. In order to better categorize the water-related issues, the border area has been divided into 8 subareas that have similar hydrologic and physiographic features. The areal extent of the subareas is shown on the map immediately below and listed in the table near the end of this fact sheet. The seven DOI Bureaus are participating in the FCC through collaboration and coordination to develop a strong border program, and hence to develop a comprehensive understanding of factors necessary to conserve and protect the shared natural and cultural resources. The U.S.-Mexico border area exists, in general, in an arid climate with limited water resources.
Water managers face many difficult and unique water-resources issues and challenges.
The Shared-Water Resources Issues Team is tasked with defining the basic hydrologic and geologic information, data deficiences, major issues, and potential directions that future efforts should take in order to provide the necessary data and information frameworks upon which critical decisions can be made and actions evaluated. The extent of federal lands shown on the above map was derived from various sources. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. As shown in the above table, about 63 per cent of the border area lies in the United States and 37 per cent lies in Mexico.