All articles tagged with #lower basin
The federal government released a 10-year, flexible plan to cut Colorado River water use, potentially reducing Lower Basin supplies by up to 3 million acre-feet a year (affecting CA, AZ, NV) while sparing Upper Basin states; a short-term “record of decision” is due soon, but critics say the framework postpones hard choices and could worsen shortages without a durable multi-state agreement.
Colorado River negotiators failed to meet the federal deadline to adopt new water-sharing guidelines, heightening the risk of federally imposed cutbacks and lawsuits as climate-driven drought strains supplies for about 40 million people. The stalemate pits Upper Basin states arguing that hydrology requires tighter, shared limits against Lower Basin partners seeking equitable reductions, with talks continuing and federal action looming to avert a courtroom fight.
The seven states that depend on the Colorado River have agreed to a consensus-based plan submitted by the three Lower Basin states, committing to collective conservation of at least 3 million acre-feet of system water by the end of 2026. Of that total, 1.5 million acre-feet at minimum would be conserved by the end of next year. The Colorado River serves about 40 million people throughout the West and is divided into a Lower and Upper basin. The newly proposed consensus-based action will meet the goals presented in the federal SEIS document, according to the agreement.