Arizona, California, and Nevada will cut their water usage from the Colorado River under a new two-year plan announced on Friday. The U.S. Department of the Interior's plan aims to tackle a growing crisis as the river's main reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, hit record low levels. This situation affects water and power supplies for millions of people.
Key Details
The new plan states that Arizona will face the largest cut of 760,000 acre-feet. This means a 27% reduction in its water allocation. California will see a cut of 440,000 acre-feet, which is a 10% decrease. Nevada will have a reduction of 50,000 acre-feet, or 16%. These cuts will last until 2028 and do not include mandatory reductions for the upper basin states of Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico. Sarah Porter, director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University, pointed out that these cuts will mean a 50% reduction for users of Colorado River water in Arizona.
Tom Buschatzke, director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, said the cuts came from earlier talks among the three states. He wished for zero reductions but acknowledged the need for these cuts. He stated, "It could have been draconian. It’s a pretty good outcome."
Background
Arizona's Democratic Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly also spoke on the issue. They stressed the need for cooperation among the states to manage the water crisis effectively.
The water cuts are likely to impact agriculture in Arizona, California, and Nevada. This could lead to higher food prices due to less water for irrigation. Investors will keep an eye on further developments in water management policies as the situation changes. They will also look for the next review of water allocations in 2028.
Based on reporting by: cnn.com, us.cnn.com