Colorado River states face mandatory water cuts as reservoirs hit record lows

The Trump administration has ordered substantial water cuts for California, Arizona, and Nevada over the next two years, as the Colorado River's two largest reservoirs—Lake Mead and Lake Powell—plummet to record lows. The plan, issued by the Interior Department, requires the three lower-basin states to collectively reduce water use by 1.25 million acre-feet annually through 2028, with Arizona bearing the steepest cuts Source: AP News. Upstream states (Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico) face no mandatory reductions for now Source: CNN.

The cuts

• Arizona: 760,000 acre-feet (about 27% of its allocation) Source: CNN.
• California: 440,000 acre-feet (about 10%) Source: CNN.
• Nevada: 50,000 acre-feet (about 16%) Source: CNN.
• Mexico will reduce intake by 250,000 acre-feet under a treaty Source: AP News.

Context and reaction

These cuts follow years of failed negotiations among the seven basin states, with the current rules expiring in October Source: AP News. The reservoirs have hit their lowest levels since filling decades ago, threatening water and power for 40 million people Source: Wired. Arizona's negotiator called the outcome "a pretty good outcome," while California's negotiator described it as "a bridge, not a permanent solution" Source: CNN, AP News. Some experts warn the plan may not be enough, and lawsuits loom Source: CNN.

What's next

The plan includes provisions for larger cuts if reservoir levels continue to fall, and new talks are scheduled after the two-year period Source: LA Times. A strong El Niño may bring some winter precipitation, but experts caution it won't resolve the long-term crisis Source: Wired.