States Agree to Drastic Water Cuts From Colorado River

After the federal government declared a historic water shortage for Lake Mead this summer, California, Arizona, and Nevada have agreed to reduce the amount of water they procure from the Colorado River in an effort to save one million acre-feet from leaving the reservoir in the next two years. As reported by Jaweed Kaleem and Ian James, "Water agencies in Southern California, Arizona and Nevada agreed to find water savings from various sources and split the $200-million cost with the federal government."

As water levels in Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the Colorado River's other major reservoir, continue to decline, experts say states may have to make even deeper cuts to adapt to a future with less water. "The new deal, called the 500+ Plan, nearly doubles the water reductions that the three states — which make up the lower basin of the river — negotiated in 2019 under what is called the drought contingency plan." The deal is a step toward correcting over-allocated water rights, but environmental groups say upriver states must also reduce their usage. Meanwhile, Utah is proposing a controversial new pipeline that would draw more water to that state.

Local tribes hold 20 percent of water rights and have contributed crucial efforts, yet have remained largely unrecognized in official negotiations. During this latest round of agreements, leaders from the Gila River Indian Community and the Colorado River Indian Tribes were present as signatories.