Water cuts loom as US unveils long-awaited response to Colorado river crisis
Summary
The US government has released a 10-year plan to reduce water use from the Colorado River, cutting supplies mainly to California, Arizona, and Nevada. This measure aims to address the river’s shrinking water levels but is a temporary solution as states continue to negotiate a long-term approach.Key Facts
- The plan calls for water cuts to California, Arizona, and Nevada, while Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Wyoming avoid mandatory cuts for now.
- The river’s two largest reservoirs, Lake Powell and Lake Mead, are at record low levels.
- Cuts could reduce water from the Lower Basin states by up to 3 million acre-feet per year, about 40% of their total water use.
- The plan allows for releasing 5 to 12 million acre-feet of water annually from Lake Powell.
- Water management decisions under the plan will be reviewed every two years.
- About 40 million people across seven states, two countries, and multiple Native American tribes depend on the Colorado River.
- The river supports large cities like Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Los Angeles and irrigates 5.5 million acres of farmland.
- Climate change and long-term overuse have caused river flows to drop 20% in the last century, worsening water scarcity.
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