Southwestern States Submit Competing Plans for Colorado River Water Management

As the deadline for new water conservation guidelines approaches, Arizona, California, and Nevada propose shared cuts, while Upper Basin states call for Lower Basin to bear the brunt.

• Arizona, California, and Nevada propose a plan for shared water cuts across the Colorado River Basin, aiming for sustainable management amid climate change.
• Upper Basin states, led by Colorado, submit a competing plan demanding Lower Basin states take on more significant cuts to address water scarcity.
• The Lower Basin's proposal includes monitoring water levels across seven reservoirs to determine necessary cuts, with all seven states contributing during the driest years.
• The Upper Basin's plan focuses on Lake Powell and Lake Mead operations, suggesting Lower Basin states should reduce their water use based on reservoir levels.
• Negotiations highlight the urgent need for a basin-wide solution as the current drought management rules set to expire at the end of 2026.

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