The U.S. government has approved a two-year plan to reduce water supplies from the Colorado River for California, Arizona and Nevada due to a prolonged drought and critically low water levels in reservoirs, Reuters reports, writes UNN.
Details
In 2027 and 2028, the three Lower Basin states must reduce their water use by approximately 21%. After 2028, the restrictions could nearly double—to 3 million acre-feet per year—if necessary to maintain critical reservoir levels.
The Colorado River provides water to approximately one in ten Americans, irrigates land that produces about 15% of U.S. food, and supplies electricity to around 6 million people in seven states.
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Meanwhile, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Wyoming, which belong to the Upper Basin, will not face mandatory reductions. They declined to agree to restrictions, citing drought and dwindling water reserves of their own.
The two largest reservoirs in the United States—Powell and Mead—reached record-low levels this month. In particular, the level of Lake Powell fell to less than 30 feet above the minimum level required for the operation of the Glen Canyon Dam in Arizona.
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Arizona and Nevada warned that further reductions after 2028 could seriously harm their economies. Arizona also does not rule out filing a lawsuit against the federal government.
California Governor Gavin Newsom said that all seven states dependent on the Colorado River must participate in reducing water consumption. At the same time, disputes over the future allocation of resources could continue for years.