Massive water cuts imposed on three Colorado River states as rates continue to plunge

The Colorado River Basin saw the worst snowpack on record last winter, heightening pressure on agriculture, commercial industry, ecological habitats, and hydroelectric producers

Under the Bureau of Reclamation's plan, California, Nevada and Arizona will collectively reduce water use by 1.25 million acre-feet annually for the next two years, with the possibility of larger cuts depending on conditions.

Federal officials announced sharp water cuts for the next two years on Friday for three Western states that rely on the imperiled Colorado River.

While the cuts are considerable, they are better than the worst-case scenario the federal government proposed in July.

Federal officials announce water cuts as Colorado River supplies continue to plunge  Toronto Star

Federal officials have announced sharp water cuts for the next two years for three Western states that rely on the imperiled Colorado River

Federal officials announce water cuts as Colorado River supplies continue to plunge  AP News

US imposes deep Colorado River water cuts to California, Nevada and Arizona  Reuters

Arizona’s share of the river will shrink by a third, likely increasing reliance on groundwater and raising pressure on agriculture.

Three Colorado River states must take big water cuts as biggest US reservoirs plunge to record lows  CNN

Arizona, California and Nevada will see major reductions in water deliveries from the drought-afflicted Colorado River under a new framework.

The federal government has unveiled its short-term plans for Colorado River water cuts from California, Arizona and Nevada — issuing a plan that’s largely in line with what the states themselves have proposed and sparing them from more dramatic cuts for the time being. The Interior Department announced Friday that it w

Following years of back and forth between the seven states that share the Colorado River and the federal government, the Trump administration has settled on a plan for the next two years.

A view over Lake Mead shows how far the lake's level has fallen. AP Photo/Ty ONeil In August 2026 the nation’s two largest reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, both on the Colorado River, hit their lowest levels since they first began to be filled in 1936 and 1963, respectively. The federal government and the seven C