With the Colorado River’s large reservoirs falling to critical levels, California, Arizona, and Nevada have introduced a new plan to save water over the next two years.
The aim is to “stabilize the Colorado River through 2028,” according to representatives of the three states. Their proposed cuts are deeper than previous offers, highlighting the urgent need for measurable contributions to keep the river flowing. JB Hamby, chair of California’s Colorado River Board, emphasized, “Without action, the system will just keep declining.”
This new plan outlines over 3.2 million acre-feet of water reductions by 2028, building on earlier proposals. These negotiations come after the states were unable to agree with four others on a long-term water-sharing agreement.
Currently, Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the U.S., is only 31% full. Lake Powell, located on the Arizona-Utah border, is even more concerning, sitting at just 24% capacity. Experts warn it might soon reach a level where hydroelectric power generation could become impossible.
The Colorado River is vital, supplying water to around 35 million people and 5 million acres of farmland from the Rocky Mountains to northern Mexico. This water distribution was established back in 1922 under the Colorado River Compact. However, the river’s flow has dropped significantly since 2000, with studies showing that global warming has worsened dry spells.
This year, the snowpack in the Rockies has only hit 22% of the average, marking a record low. This means an unfortunate lack of runoff to replenish the already low reservoirs.
In a letter to the Interior Department, top negotiators for the three states stressed that “quick and decisive action is urgently required.” They hope this short-term solution will buy time for a longer-term strategy involving all seven states.
Arizona is set to make the biggest cuts of 760,000 acre-feet each year, while California will reduce its usage by 440,000 acre-feet, and Nevada by 50,000 acre-feet. For context, Los Angeles consumes nearly 500,000 acre-feet annually.
The specifics of how these cuts will affect farms and cities are still under discussion. Southern California cities sourced about a quarter of their water from the Colorado River in the past five years, while farms in California’s Imperial Valley rely entirely on it.
Shivaji Deshmukh, general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, expressed disappointment that not all states could reach an agreement. He pointed out that the three-state plan is a step toward addressing ongoing dry conditions but remains hopeful about broader future agreements. “We must recognize that the river is changing,” Deshmukh stated. “We need all seven states to work together to ensure a sustainable water future.”
As water scarcity becomes more pressing, these steps reflect the urgency of collaboration among states and the importance of adaptive strategies to secure water resources for the coming years. For further information, you can visit the Pacific Institute.
