national
Federal Government Announces Colorado River Water Cuts for Western States
Just the facts
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation issued mandatory water delivery reductions for California, Nevada, and Arizona totaling 1.25 million acre-feet annually over the next two years. The federal order stems from a 26-year drought that has reduced water levels in Lake Mead and Lake Powell to historically low capacities. Arizona will absorb the largest share of the water cuts, while upstream states including Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and New Mexico currently face no reductions. Under an international agreement, Mexico will also reduce its water intake from the Colorado River by 250,000 acre-feet per year.
Why this is news
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation issued mandatory water reductions for states relying on the Colorado River Basin. The announcement follows persistent drought conditions impacting major regional reservoirs.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.