US Edition
Environmental Groups Sound Alarm After Colorado River Talks Miss Another Deadline
Seven Colorado River basin states missed the Feb. 14 deadline to agree on conservation, risking federal intervention amid ongoing drought and water shortages affecting 40 million people.
- The seven basin states failed to meet the Valentine’s Day deadline to agree on new operational guidelines, leaving current rules set to expire at year's end.
- Amid prolonged drought, forecasts show this year's Basin snowpack at 38 percent of normal, and Lake Powell may receive only 2.4 million acre-feet, leaving the river structurally short.
- Upper Basin officials pushed back against mandatory cuts, citing their variable water deliveries, while Lower Basin states proposed significant reductions, including Arizona's 27, California's 10, and Nevada's nearly 17 percent.
- Federal officials say the Interior will propose a fallback plan if state negotiators fail to agree soon, though federal courts could delay relief through extended litigation.
- About 40 million people depend on the Colorado River Basin, which the Department of the Interior will finalize guidelines for by October 1, 2026, shaping post-deadline management.
15 Articles
15 Articles
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