Nevada sues over federally mandated reduction in Colorado River water use
Nevada says the federal plan would cut its Colorado River allocation by 71%, or 213,556 acre-feet, and seeks to block implementation.
- On Monday, the State of Nevada filed a federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court challenging the Trump administration's new Colorado River operating guidelines that mandate water cuts for the state.
- Nevada officials argue the plan forces the state to absorb up to 71 percent of water shortages—213,556 acre-feet—while Upper Basin states are not required to contribute a drop.
- Despite Nevada reducing water consumption by more than 40 percent since 2002, the lawsuit asserts the federal government failed to analyze economic consequences on the Las Vegas Valley, valued at approximately $180 billion annually.
- Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo stated the plan is "sacrificing the health and safety of Nevadans," while the Southern Nevada Water Authority requested an injunction to halt implementation.
- The new operating guidelines take effect October 1, 2026, though federal forecasters predict Lake Mead levels could drop near or below 1,000 feet by the summer of 2028.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Nevada Sues Interior Department Over Colorado River Plan
The State of Nevada, joined by the Colorado River Commission of Nevada and the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA), filed a federal lawsuit Monday challenging the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Record of Decision on post-2026 Colorado River operations, arguing the plan unfairly imposes devastating cuts on Lower Basin states while sparing the Upper Basin any mandatory reductions. Governor Joe Lombardo framed the action as essential for the …
Nevada sues over federally mandated reduction in Colorado River water use
In the first legal challenge to a long-awaited federal plan to stabilize the dwindling Colorado River, Nevada alleges that federal officials violated the law and failed to consider the economic effects of the cuts.
Nevada sues Trump administration over Colorado River cuts
On Monday, the state of Nevada filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, seeking to block the Colorado River management plan. On Friday, Burgum released a “record of decision” that would reduce water allocations to California, Nevada and Arizona, the Lower Basin states of the Colorado River. The record of […]
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