The Arid Lands Program

The Arid Lands Program was a U.S. government initiative launched in the 1950s to manage water and land resources in dry, desert regions, especially in the southwestern states. Its goal was to develop sustainable water supplies, improve land productivity, and support agriculture and communities in these arid areas. The program promoted large-scale projects like water diversion, irrigation infrastructure, and land conservation to help transform deserts into viable environments for living and farming, balancing economic growth with environmental preservation.