Feds spare Upper Basin; states still feel water cuts pressure
The decision leaves Upper Basin states untouched while forcing Lower Basin users to absorb up to 3 million acre-feet in annual cuts.
- The Department of Interior released a Record of Decision on Friday sparing the Upper Basin states—Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and New Mexico—from federally mandated water cuts between 2027 and 2028.
- Historic drought across the West pushed Lake Powell and Lake Mead to record lows, while snowpacks peaked early this year, compounding low Colorado River water flow across the basin.
- The Lower Basin states—California, Nevada, and Arizona—were forced to accept up to 3 million acre-feet in annual water cuts for the next two years, nearly half their combined 7.5 million allocation.
- Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo sued the Department of Interior, alleging the plan unfairly burdens his state. "The Colorado River is a shared resource," Lombardo said, "so the solution needs to involve everybody."
- While the Upper Basin celebrates the decision, leaders continue calling for long-term solutions, and Denver Water will end lawn watering for 1.5 million customers on October 1 to conserve supplies.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Feds spare Upper Basin; states still feel water cuts pressure - Regional Media News
(The Center Square) - The Colorado River's Upper Basin states are not required to make mandatory water cuts that the federal government imposed on the Lower Basin. But that piece of good luck doesn't guarantee smooth sailing for Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. The [...]
Feds spare Upper Basin; states still feel water cuts pressure - The Daily Bo Snerdley
(The Center Square) – The Colorado River’s Upper Basin states are not required to make mandatory water cuts that the federal government imposed on the Lower Basin. But that piece of good luck doesn’t guarantee smooth sailing for Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. The four Upper Basin states’ leaders celebrated the U.S. Department of Interior’s decision late August, but called for continued negotiations and longer-term solutions. The move …
charitonleader.com
Feds spare Upper Basin; states still feel water cuts pressure
(The Center Square) - The Colorado River’s Upper Basin states are not required to make mandatory water cuts that the federal government imposed on the Lower Basin.
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