Historic deal reached to save Colorado River

In a significant breakthrough, California, Arizona and Nevada have agreed to take less water and prevent the Colorado River from drying up.

The deal, which was made public on Monday, attempts to address the severe water shortage in the region.

Under the agreement, water districts, Native American tribes, and farms in the three states would reduce their water consumption by 13% over the next three years.

With over 40 million people depending on the river’s water, the region is currently facing its worst drought in 1,200 years. The dwindling water flow of the Colorado River has affected the capacity of Lake Mead and Lake Powell.

Despite the agreement, experts remain concerned about the adequacy of the proposed cuts for long-term sustainability. Tom Buschatzke, director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, clarifies that the deal is “still a proposal and not a final agreement,” requiring further evaluation by the government.

The cut in usage is expected to buy time to come up with a permanent solution.

What’s Next?
The plan is projected to conserve 3 million acres of water through 2026 in exchange for $1.2 billion in federal payment, benefiting cities, tribes and water districts.

The agreement temporarily prevents the Biden administration from imposing unilateral water cuts on the seven states—California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming—dependent on the Colorado River.