Bureau of Reclamation Proposes Water Cuts for Lower Basin States

The United States Bureau of Reclamation announced a 10-year management framework on Friday to address depleting water levels in the Colorado River. The proposal follows a failed three-year negotiation period where seven basin states failed to reach a consensus agreement to replace an expiring water-sharing plan. This federal intervention comes after a record-dry winter left reservoirs at combined record lows.

Under the plan, Arizona, California, and Nevada face collective water reductions of up to 3 million acre-feet annually through 2036, depending on hydrologic conditions. This is significantly higher than a May 1 proposal by the Lower Basin states, which suggested annual cuts of 1.6 million acre-feet through 2028. The framework also mandates annual releases from Lake Powell between 5 million and 12 million acre-feet and requires water management decisions to be updated every two years.

While Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Wyoming are currently exempt from mandatory cuts, the federal government describes the plan as a temporary measure while states negotiate a long-term solution. These cuts are expected to be the largest to date, potentially increasing groundwater reliance and raising water prices for farms and cities across the region.