Arizona water future hinges on diversification as Colorado River cuts loom
TL;DR Summary
The Interior Department is poised to impose large Colorado River cutbacks—potentially up to 40%—on Arizona, California and Nevada, which could hit Phoenix-area water supplies hard. Officials say taps won’t go dry because cities are diversifying with groundwater, Salt River supplies, and programs like the Secure Water Arizona Program (SWAP) and water transfers. Cities are also pursuing storage projects, groundwater banking, and even potential desalination deals to weather a long-term shift to a drier baseline, with final cut sizes for 2027–2028 to be announced soon.
- Arizona cities will likely get less Colorado River water. Here’s why they won’t go dry KJZZ
- Reclamation Publishes Final Environmental Impact Statement for Future Colorado River Operations U.S. Department of the Interior (.gov)
- U.S. Raises Threat of Steep Water Cuts in Lower Colorado River Basin The New York Times
- Federal plan makes steep Colorado River water cuts to Arizona, California and Nevada High Country News
- Colorado River plan spares Wyoming from major cuts WyoFile
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