Drastic water cuts issued for California, Nevada and Arizona from Colorado River
Summary
Federal officials announced significant water cutbacks for California, Nevada, and Arizona over the next two years to protect the Colorado River, which is facing severe drought and low reservoir levels. Arizona will have the largest reductions, while upstream states like Colorado and Utah will not have cuts for now. Mexico will also reduce its water use under a treaty.Key Facts
- California, Nevada, and Arizona must cut their water use from the Colorado River by 1.25 million acre-feet annually for two years.
- Arizona will face the biggest water reductions among the three states.
- Upstream states (Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico) are not required to reduce water use at this time.
- Mexico will reduce its water intake by 250,000 acre-feet under a U.S.-Mexico agreement.
- The Colorado River supplies water to 35 to 40 million people.
- The current water-sharing rules expire in October, but the seven states have not agreed on new long-term sharing plans.
- Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the two largest reservoirs fed by the Colorado, have dropped to their lowest levels in nearly 70 years.
- If Lake Powell falls 33 more feet, it will lose the ability to produce hydroelectric power and move water downstream.
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