Historic Colorado River Drought Prompts Federal Government to Propose Unprecedented Water Cutbacks to States

The Colorado River is experiencing its lowest flow in decades due to a prolonged drought and climate change.
The Department of the Interior has proposed two options to reduce water usage from the Colorado River by up to 2 million acre-feet to protect reservoirs from dropping to dead pool levels.
The proposed cuts would have drastic consequences for Arizona, Nevada and California, with Arizona potentially losing nearly two-thirds of its Colorado River water supply.
Upper basin states would not be affected, and California may fare slightly better than its neighbors under one proposal that considers existing water rights.
The public has 45 days to comment on the proposals before the Biden administration announces a formal decision this summer in consultation with Mexico.