The Department of the Interior has announced significant progress for the Colorado River System's health. In Santa Fe, New Mexico, Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton joined leaders from various water districts and the Gila River Indian Community to sign five new water conservation agreements. These agreements will utilize funding from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to advance water conservation efforts across the Western United States.

Short-term agreements with the Imperial Irrigation District, Bard Water District, and Metropolitan Water District are projected to conserve over 717,000 acre-feet of water by 2026. The long-term agreements with the Gila River Indian Community aim to create system conservation of over 73,000 acre-feet within the next decade.

“The Biden-Harris administration is committed to making western communities more resilient to the impacts of climate change,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “With transformational resources provided through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the Interior Department is collaborating with states, Tribes and partners to make smart investments to strengthen the stability and sustainability of the Colorado River System.”

“We are proud to announce these agreements that will support the long-term health of the Colorado River System by shoring up elevations,” said Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton. “The agreements with the Imperial Irrigation District and Bard Water District in partnership with Metropolitan Water District will contribute a significant amount of system conservation through 2026 and new agreements with Gila River Indian Community are beginning our long-term investments that will improve sustainability for generations.”

The Colorado River Basin provides water for over 40 million people and supports hydropower resources in seven U.S. states. It is also vital for 30 Tribal Nations and two Mexican states, supporting agriculture across 5.5 million acres as well as important ecosystems and endangered species. The region is currently experiencing its longest drought on record due to climate change.

Short-term conservation agreements signed today signify final short-term commitments under "Bucket 1" of the Lower Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. The agreement with Imperial Irrigation District aims to provide up to 700,000 acre-feet of system conservation water between 2024-2026 at an investment cost of approximately $589.2 million. The agreement with Bard Water District in partnership with Metropolitan Water District conserves up to 17,100 acre-feet during this period at a cost of about $6.8 million.

Reclamation has executed 25 agreements projected to conserve more than 2.28 million acre-feet of water as part of three million acre-feet commitments made by Lower Basin states.

An initial $700 million investment from the Inflation Reduction Act was announced in June for long-term conservation efforts. Today’s agreements with Gila River Indian Community represent initial projects under this investment, aiming for system conservation exceeding 73,000 acre-feet within ten years.

Overall funding for long-term initiatives in Lower Basin expects savings exceeding one million-acre feet putting Colorado River Basin on a path towards resilience.

President Biden’s Investing in America agenda represents historic investments addressing drought crises including $8.3 billion over five years via Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for various water infrastructure projects and an additional $4.6 billion from Inflation Reduction Act targeting historic droughts.

To date, investments include:

- Over $1 billion for infrastructure repairs preserving delivery capabilities benefiting over 40 million people annually.

- More than $648 million in new storage/conveyance enhancing existing reservoirs.

- $505 million allocated towards recycling projects increasing annual capacity significantly.

- Over $416 million via WaterSMART grants conserving tens-of-thousands-acre feet ensuring resilient supplies within basin states.