Imagine, if you will, a desert town in the southwest whose agricultural water supply flows from a reservoir miles away. Every year water is released for a short period of time so that local farmers can irrigate pecan orchards and other crops.

While visiting family in New Mexico, I drove across a wide riverbed with no water in it. People were hiking around the rocks, playing with their children, and some were walking their dogs. The Rio Grande was bone dry. Not even a trickle. Thirsty farmlands were forced to wait longer than usual because the reservoir is low.

If you are wondering what on Earth this has to do with Arkansas, I submit to you that water and money share some common traits.

A reservoir full of water has plenty to go around. Anyone who stakes a claim on it can use it as long as those in charge approve their requests. Wise decision-makers should be mindful of future years in which water may not be as abundant, so they approve only sensible amounts. Once water levels drop, conservation is required, meaning not everyone receives the water they expect. Disaster would ensue if nearby towns and expanding housing developments were allowed to continue filling swimming pools, washing........

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