Nevada, Arizona, and Mexico will continue to face water reductions from the Colorado River, as the U.S. government announced existing water cuts will remain in place.
The measures are part of ongoing efforts to address long-term challenges for the 40 million people who depend on the water. Spanning 1,450 miles, the Colorado River is a crucial resource for the U.S. West, supplying water to cities and farms across the region and in northern Mexico.
The river supports seven Western states and 24 Native American tribes and irrigates millions of acres of farmland. Additionally, it produces hydropower throughout the region.
Each year, the Interior Department announces water availability months in advance to allow cities, farmers, and others to plan accordingly. The announcement on water levels at Lake Mead, one of the two main reservoirs, are chief indicators.
Arizona will again experience an 18 percent reduction in its total Colorado River allocation, while Mexico will face a Five percent cut in the coming year. Nevada, which receives significantly less water than Arizona, California, or Mexico, will continue with a seven percent reduction. The cuts are part of the “Tier 1” category that went into effect in 2022.
Despite the challenges, heavier rains and various water-saving efforts by Nevada, Arizona, and California have improved Lake Mead and Lake Powell’s water levels, located upstream on the Utah-Arizona border. Officials reported that both reservoirs are currently at 37 percent capacity.
Water officials praised the ongoing conservation efforts, which will continue until 2026, with much of it funded by the federal government. While measures remain in place, states, tribes, and others are negotiating to determine how they will share the river’s water after 2026, when many of the current guidelines governing the river expire.
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