Feds unveil two-year Colorado River plan as Powell nears critical level
The Bureau of Reclamation released a two-year operating plan for the Colorado River that does not mandate cuts in Upper Basin states like Utah, but requires sizable reductions in the Lower Basin (Arizona, California, Nevada) and Mexico to address persistent drought and keep Lake Powell (and Lake Mead) from falling further. Powell's target elevation is raised to 3,510 feet with initial releases of about 6–7 million acre-feet for the 2027 water year and adjustments to stay above that level; Flaming Gorge inflows will be prioritized to support Powell; a new Federally Managed Water Resources Pool at Lake Mead will offset some obligations; the plan includes a 10-year framework to push for a consensus among all seven states and Mexico. Upper Basin states have a voluntary path to save up to 200,000 acre-feet per year, while no mandatory cuts are imposed now; treat the plan as a bridge to a long-term agreement, with potential legal challenges looming from Arizona and others.