Nevada files lawsuit challenging federal plan for Colorado River revival
Summary
Nevada has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government challenging a new plan that reduces water use from the Colorado River by about 20% for lower basin states, including Nevada, Arizona, and California. The plan aims to address the river's serious water shortage, but there is conflict between states over how much each should cut.Key Facts
- Nevada, along with the Colorado River Commission of Nevada and the Southern Nevada Water Authority, sued the U.S. Department of Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation.
- The federal plan cuts water supplies to Nevada, Arizona, and California for two years, with possible deeper cuts later.
- Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo says Southern Nevada could lose over 70% of its water share.
- Upper basin states (Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming) are not required to reduce their water use under the plan.
- The seven states that use the Colorado River have struggled to agree on sharing water cuts fairly.
- The Colorado River provides water to about 40 million people, tribal nations, and farms, and supports cities like Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Los Angeles.
- Long-term overuse and climate change have severely reduced water levels in major reservoirs Lake Mead and Lake Powell.
- Negotiations for a new water-sharing agreement have been difficult, and the current framework expires in October 2026.
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