How Lake Mead Water Levels Stand as Nevada Sues Over Colorado River Cuts
Summary
Nevada and the Southern Nevada Water Authority have filed a lawsuit against a new federal plan that limits Colorado River water use. The lawsuit says the plan unfairly cuts water for Nevada while not requiring similar reductions from upstream states.Key Facts
- Lake Mead is near its lowest water level since it was filled in the 1930s, about 190 feet below full capacity.
- Lake Powell, the second-largest reservoir, is also very low, at around 22% full.
- These reservoirs supply water to about 40 million people and irrigate 5 million acres of farmland in the western U.S.
- The new federal plan governs Colorado River water use after current rules expire in 2026.
- Nevada may lose over 70% of its Colorado River water under the plan’s worst shortage scenarios.
- Nevada’s annual Colorado River water allocation is about 300,000 acre-feet but could be cut by as much as 213,556 acre-feet.
- Nevada officials say the plan unfairly spares Upper Basin states like Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and New Mexico from mandatory water cuts.
- The lawsuit claims the plan breaks federal laws and existing Colorado River agreements.
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