Key facts
- A proposed federal plan for the Colorado River would mandate a 21% cut in water use for Arizona, California, and Nevada over the next two years.
- These Lower Basin states are expected to cut 1.6 million acre feet in 2027 and 2028, totaling 3.2 million acre feet.
- Deeper cuts, potentially up to 3 million acre feet annually, are proposed for 2029 through 2036 to maintain reservoir levels.
- The plan also suggests reductions for Upper Basin states: Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
- Upper Basin states have resisted mandatory cuts, arguing they already face reduced supplies and that Lower Basin states use the majority of the water.
A senior water official revealed details of a proposed federal plan to manage the drought-stricken Colorado River, which would mandate significant water use cuts for Arizona, California, and Nevada. The plan, expected to be adopted by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation this week, calls for a 21% reduction in water use for the Lower Basin states in 2027 and 2028, amounting to 1.6 million acre feet annually. Even deeper cuts, potentially up to 3 million acre feet per year, are slated for 2029 through 2036 to stabilize critical reservoir levels.
The official, speaking anonymously, indicated the plan should also impose reductions on the four Upper Basin states: Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. However, the Upper Basin states have reportedly rejected mandatory cuts, arguing they already face reduced supplies and that deeper cuts by the Lower Basin states, which consume the majority of the river's water, are necessary.
The current 20-year water-sharing plan expires at the end of 2026, and states have been negotiating for three years to replace it. Federal intervention, such as mandatory cuts, could lead to state lawsuits, potentially prolonging uncertainty over the river's future. The Bureau of Reclamation is anticipated to release a final environmental impact statement and a binding record of decision by Friday.