Key facts
- The U.S. government finalized a plan to reduce water supplies from the Colorado River for California, Nevada, and Arizona.
- The three lower basin states will collectively reduce their water allocation by 1.6 million acre-feet per year in 2027 and 2028.
- Annual mandatory cuts could increase to 3.0 million acre-feet per year after 2028 if reservoir levels remain critically low.
- Upper basin states are not subject to mandatory cuts under this plan.
- Arizona and Nevada have voiced strong opposition to potential future cuts, citing economic devastation.
The U.S. government has finalized a plan to implement significant water supply cuts to California, Nevada, and Arizona from the drought-stricken Colorado River. The plan, signed by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, mandates a reduction of approximately 21% in water allocations for these three lower basin states for 2027 and 2028. This amounts to a combined 1.6 million acre-feet per year, with the states also agreeing to conserve an additional 700,000 acre-feet annually over the two-year period.
Following this initial two-year period, annual mandatory cuts could nearly double to 3.0 million acre-feet if critical reservoir levels are not maintained. This potential doubling of cuts has drawn strong opposition from Arizona and Nevada, who have warned of devastating economic impacts and threatened legal action against the federal government if such measures are imposed.
In contrast, the four upper basin states—Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Wyoming—will not face mandatory cuts under this new 10-year plan. This comes after three years of failed negotiations among the seven states, during which upper basin states argued they were already subject to automatic reductions due to the severe drought affecting the U.S. West.
The Colorado River is a vital water source, supplying one in ten Americans, irrigating land responsible for 15% of U.S. food production, and generating power for six million people across seven states. California's Colorado River Commissioner, JB Hamby, described the plan as a "bridge, not a permanent solution," emphasizing the need for compromise and shared responsibility among all seven states.