Federal officials this week are expected to ease water cuts for Western states reliant on the Colorado River next year
Federal officials this week are expected to ease water cuts for 2024 under a slightly improved outlook for the Colorado River’s health, though long-term challenges remain.
The river provides water for seven U.S. states, 29 Native American tribes and two states in Mexico. It also supports a multibillion-dollar farm industry in the West and generates hydropower used across the region. Years of overuse by farms and cities and the effects of drought worsened by climate change has meant much less water flows today through the Colorado River than in previous decades.
The U.S. government in 2021 announced cuts that hit Arizona particularly hard. Last year, those cuts grew more severe thanks to continued drought, poor precipitation and less runoff from the river’s Rocky Mountains source.
A wetter winter and conservation measures have helped improve the river’s health a bit this summer, but experts warn a drier future is ahead.
WHAT CUTS ARE EXPECTED?
The Bureau of Reclamation will describe the Colorado River’s status based on projected water levels at Lake Powell and Lake Mead, key reservoirs that serve as barometers of the river’s health. Officials are expected to announce cuts for next year to some basin states.
The cuts are based on previous agreements to keep Lake Mead from getting too low.
Bountiful snowfall and rain last winter pulled much of the region out of drought this spring and raised water levels at reservoirs.
State water officials expect a return to what was announced in 2021, a “Tier 1” shortage. That means Arizona would see an 18% cut from it’s total water allocation, down slightly from last year. Farmers will face the brunt of the forced cuts while cities and tribes will be spared, though some have already volunteered to cut back in exchange for federal money.
Nevada, which gets far less river water than Arizona and California, is expected to lose slightly less than it did last year. Mexico is expected to face a 5% reduction.
California has not faced any forced water cuts.
WILL THE RIVER KEEP GETTING HEALTHIER?
No. While the winter’s precipitation brought immediate relief, the challenges of a hotter, drier future and overuse of the river remain.
