The Latest Breaking News from Colorado River

US states agree breakthrough deal to prevent Colorado River from drying up

‘Huge lift’ as California, Arizona and Nevada agree with US government to take about 13% less water from drought-stricken river

The Guardian - US · May 22, 2023

A plan to pay farmers to use less of the Colorado River comes up dry

One way to save massive amounts of water from the drying Colorado River — state and federal officials had hoped — was to effectively buy water this year from farmers and ranchers with a $125 million conservation program.

The Denver Post · May 21, 2023

‘We Can’t Be Living in an Economy of 40 Million People This Close to the Edge.’

Lake Mead, a key water source for California and six other states, is close to drying up. Water policy expert Felicia Marcus says dramatic action is needed on conservation, recycling and efficiency.

Capital & Main · Apr 25, 2023

The rules governing the Colorado River were made for a ‘previous world’ and the West is now confronting a 21st century nightmare as it runs dry

Fixing the Southwest’s water supply problem will be painful, and the big question might be ‘how to distribute that pain.’

Fortune · Apr 15, 2023

EXPLAINER: What might Colorado River cuts mean for states?

The Biden administration floated two ideas this week for how Western states and Native American tribes could reduce their water use from the dwindling Colorado River

The Independent UK · Apr 14, 2023

The Colorado River drought crisis: 5 essential reads

A 23-year western drought has drastically shrunk the Colorado River, which provides water for drinking and irrigation for Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California and two states in Mexico. Under a 1922 compact, these jurisdictions receive fixed allocations of water from the river – but now there’s not…

The Conversation · Apr 13, 2023

Mark Gongloff: The Colorado River is drying up while states bicker

Feisty sports matches need referees to take control early or risk mayhem on the field. In the furious battle over the rights to dwindling Colorado River water — a game with life-or-death stakes — the U.S. government has let things get out of hand. It’s only just now starting to…

Tribune News Service · Apr 13, 2023

States face unprecedented water cuts under Biden admin Colorado River crisis plan

The administration outlined options for making cuts to the Colorado River as supplies dwindle.

Axios · Apr 11, 2023

US considers imposing Colorado River water cuts to western states

Depending on the plan, either California would be the most affected, or Arizona and Nevada would be parched

The Guardian - US · Apr 11, 2023

US presents proposals for major water cuts on Colorado River

LOS ANGELES — The federal government on Tuesday laid out two options for preventing the Colorado River’s depleted reservoirs from falling to critically low levels, saying it could either impose cuts across the Southwest by following the water-rights priority system or by using an across-the-board percentage.

Los Angeles Times · Apr 11, 2023