The federal government is on the verge of announcing water reductions that may impact around 40 million individuals who rely on the Colorado River in the Western U.S. The Interior Department typically discloses water availability for the upcoming year well in advance to allow Western cities, farmers, and others to make plans. However, negotiations are ongoing behind the scenes regarding how the river’s water will be shared post-2026, when many current regulations governing it are set to expire.
The Colorado River supplies water to seven Western states, over two dozen Native American tribes, and two states in Mexico. It also supports irrigation for millions of acres of farmland in the American West and generates hydropower used throughout the region. Due to years of overuse, rising temperatures, and drought, less water now flows in the Colorado River compared to previous decades, leading to complex water politics in the West.
One of the key discussions revolves around how to distribute the Colorado River’s water after 2026. Various agreements, court decisions, and contracts dictate the sharing of the river, some of which will end by the close of 2025. In 2007, in response to prolonged drought, seven U.S. states in the basin along with the federal government adopted rules to handle lower water levels at Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the river’s main reservoirs. These rules determine when certain states face water cuts based on Lake Mead levels.
Several efforts are already in place to conserve water, such as additional water-saving measures undertaken by Arizona, California, and Nevada. The short-term outlook for reservoirs has improved slightly due to a wet 2023 and ongoing conservation endeavors. However, climate scientists predict that climate change-driven higher temperatures will continue to reduce runoff to the Colorado River in the future, necessitating preparations for reduced water levels.
Negotiations among Upper and Lower Basin states, tribes, and environmental groups recently released plans for future river and reservoir management. Disagreements exist regarding the post-2026 period, with some states advocating for a comprehensive approach to managing the river and reservoirs. The federal government is expected to issue draft regulations by December that incorporate the various plans and propose a path forward. Until then, discussions will continue among states, tribes, and negotiators to reach consensus.
