Western States at Impasse on Colorado River Supplies

The Colorado River, which supplies water to around 40 million people in the southwestern United States, is drying up. The river’s reservoirs, Lakes Mead and Powell, are at historically low levels, threatening water and power supplies. The river is governed by a complex system known as the “Law of the River,” which includes the 1922 Compact, court decisions, and federal legislation. This system is stressed due to low flows and overallocation, and there is resistance to making significant changes to it. The western states are experiencing significant challenges in negotiating the supplies. As demand for water increases and supplies diminish due to prolonged drought and climate change, states like California, Arizona, and Nevada are at an impasse over how to allocate the limited resources equitably. This situation has prompted discussions about new agreements and potential federal interventions to manage the crisis.

Lower Basin States - California, Arizona, and Nevada - have been undertaking significant cutbacks. Upper Basin states are exploring various measures to address the water crisis and promote conservation, including market-based solutions to implement systems that allow for the buying and selling of water rights to incentivize conservation and efficient use and collaboration with stakeholders: engaging with agricultural users, municipalities, and Indigenous communities to find collaborative solutions that address the needs of all parties involved. Many tribes have legal claims to water rights that date back to treaties, providing a critical voice and role for the tribes as the various stakeholders seek to identify solutions and work to

The implications of these measures by the Upper and Lower Basin States are significant, as they can impact the overall water supply, affect local economies, and require careful negotiation to ensure compliance with existing legal frameworks.