Growing water dispute in the desert

Jeff Grubbe, tribal chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, at the Andreas Canyon oasis.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

A tourist photographs a seed grinding mortar at the Andreas Canyon oasis on the Agua Caliente Cahuilla Indian reservation in Palm Springs.   (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Drip irrigation feeds a table-grape vineyard in the desert town of Thermal.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Irrigation water floods the floor of a date palm grove in the Coachella Valley.   (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

The Coachella Canal in the foreground carries Colorado River past a table-grape vineyard in Thermal.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

With the availability of groundwater and imported Colorado River water, the sandy desert soil in the Coachella Valley yields a maturing crop of carrots.   (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

The Coachella Canal in the foreground carries Colorado River through the desert landscape of the Coachella Valley.   (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)