Colorado Accuses Nebraska of Stealing Water in Escalating Supreme Court Fight
Summary
Colorado has accused Nebraska of taking water that belongs to Colorado under a 1923 agreement called the South Platte River Compact. The dispute is now before the U.S. Supreme Court, with both states claiming the other is violating the agreement as they face ongoing drought and water shortages.Key Facts
- Colorado and Nebraska signed the South Platte River Compact in 1923 to share water from the South Platte River.
- Nebraska sued Colorado in July 2025, claiming Colorado has not supplied the water Nebraska is owed and interfered with Nebraska's water canal project.
- The Supreme Court allowed Nebraska's complaint to proceed in June 2026.
- Colorado filed a 58-page counterclaim in September 2026, accusing Nebraska of excessive groundwater pumping and water theft.
- Colorado seeks damages and restrictions on Nebraska’s pumping and diversion practices.
- Nebraska says its canal project is needed to secure its water rights.
- Both states suffer drought, increasing the importance of water from the South Platte River.
- The dispute highlights growing tensions over water use in the western U.S.
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