Three States Propose Last-Ditch Plan To Avoid Colorado River Crisis
Summary
Arizona, California, and Nevada have proposed a plan to reduce water use from the Colorado River over the next two years. This plan aims to protect water levels in key reservoirs that supply water to about 40 million people in the western U.S. while longer-term negotiations continue among the seven states that share the river.Key Facts
- The Colorado River system supplies water to around 40 million people in seven western U.S. states.
- Reservoirs Lake Mead and Lake Powell are at about one-third of their usual water capacity due to drought and low snowfall.
- Arizona, California, and Nevada want to cut their water use by up to 1 million acre-feet annually through 2028 as a short-term fix.
- This proposed cut is in addition to earlier plans that already reduce their water use by 1.5 million acre-feet.
- The plan includes immediate cuts of 700,000 acre-feet per year and possible extra voluntary savings funded by federal drought-response money.
- Officials say the plan will help prevent water shortages that could affect cities like Phoenix and Tucson.
- Negotiations among all seven states sharing the river have stalled over how to divide water conservation responsibilities.
- The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is reviewing this proposal and expects to release a draft plan by mid-June and a final decision by mid-July.
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