"The seven states that depend on the Colorado River announced on Monday that they have reached an agreement on cutting water use from the river over the next three years to prevent reservoirs from falling to critically low levels.
Representatives of the states reached the consensus after months of negotiations, with California, Arizona and Nevada together committing to reduce water use by about 3 million acre-feet between now and the end of 2026.
The Biden administration announced that the federal Interior Department, which had laid out options for larger reductions, will analyze the proposal from the states.
The agreement represents a major milestone in the region’s efforts to grapple with the Colorado River’s decline. The river, which supplies states from the Rocky Mountains to the U.S.-Mexico border, has long been over-allocated, and its reservoirs have declined to their lowest levels since they were filled during 23 years of drought worsened by rising temperatures with climate change."
Ian James reports for the Los Angeles Times May 22, 2023.
SEE ALSO:
"The Colorado River Is Shrinking. See What’s Using All the Water." (New York Times)
"Colorado River States Strike Deal To Save Water, Hydropower" (E&E News)
"A Breakthrough Deal to Keep the Colorado River From Going Dry, for Now" (New York Times)
"Colorado River States Reach Deal With Biden To Protect Drought-Stricken River" (Washington Post)
"Thirst Gap: Learning To Live With Less On The Colorado River"
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