COPPERMINE, Ariz. — Yellow grass stretches across the landscape from last year’s rainfall as Navajo farmers and ranchers scan the sky for any sign of rain clouds or the promise of a monsoon. When the rains do not come, agricultural producers and wildlife rely on life-sustaining wells—some of which have been in operation since the 1930s.
“For more than two decades, the Navajo Nation has faced severe drought, with limited precipitation, declining groundwater, and rising temperatures placing increasing strain on the water resources our communities, ranchers, and farmers depend on,” said Buu Nygren. “Livestock require up to 20 gallons of water per day, and our administration is committed to strengthening water infrastructure to ensure reliable access and protect our way of life.”
Across the Navajo Nation, many aging livestock tanks—built decades ago—can no longer hold water, prompting urgent replacement efforts. In Coppermine, a local livestock producer reported a well suffering from severe corrosion and leakage, limiting reliable water access for animals in the area.
The producer reached out to a community representative, who coordinated with the Department of Water Resources Technical, Construction, and Operations Branch to respond quickly. Crews installed a new 10,000-gallon livestock water storage tank, while temporarily repairing the existing system to restore more than 30,000 gallons of water capacity and ensure continued access during the transition.
Large portions of the Navajo Nation remain classified under severe to exceptional drought, as limited precipitation, declining groundwater levels, and rising temperatures continue to strain water resources critical to both agriculture and daily life.
The Coppermine project is part of a broader, ongoing effort to assess, repair, and upgrade aging water systems across the Navajo Nation. The Department of Water Resources continues to identify high-priority sites for replacement—including larger-capacity tanks—to strengthen long-term reliability and resilience for agricultural producers.
