The lost river: Mexicans fight for mighty waterway taken by the US

The Colorado River serves over 35 million Americans before reaching Mexico - but it is dammed at the border, leaving locals on the other side with a dry delta

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The temperature is rising toward 45C (113F) as young brothers Daniel and Dilan Rodriguez skip towards a bridge over the Colorado River in the Mexican border town of San Luis Rio Colorado. But there is no water flowing through the channel of one of the world's mightiest waterways. The pair run down the river bank and cheerfully splash through stagnant puddles dotted about the riverbed.

"We wish we had a river, so we could swim, and jump and sail my cousin's boat," said Daniel, 12. "At least we have puddles to make mud balls, that can be fun."