The Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation have announced progress in securing short-term health for the Colorado River System through 18 new agreements. These System Conservation Implementation agreements involve water entitlement holders in Arizona and California and aim to conserve additional water from the Colorado River.
Efforts are ongoing with governors' representatives from all seven Colorado River Basin states and tribal nations to create a comprehensive water management plan. This plan is intended to benefit approximately 40 million residents within the basin.
The newly extended agreements with various tribal, municipal, and agricultural water users in the Lower Colorado River Basin are expected to result in significant water savings through 2026. Approximately 321,000 acre-feet will be saved, equivalent to around five feet of elevation in Lake Mead. The agreements provide financial support for these entities during the development of Post-2026 Colorado River Operating Guidelines.
Scott Cameron, Senior Advisor to the Secretary, stated: "The Colorado River is essential to the American West, and Interior and Reclamation is dedicated to delivering life-sustaining water and harnessing the significant hydropower the river offers." He emphasized that efforts continue under the Trump administration to strengthen drought response measures.
The Colorado River Basin supplies water to over 40 million people across seven U.S. states and supports extensive agriculture. It also serves as a vital resource for 30 Tribal Nations and two Mexican states. Both short-term and long-term actions are being pursued by Interior and Reclamation to address drought impacts.
David Palumbo, Reclamation Acting Commissioner, commented on the collaboration within the basin: "These agreements represent the continued collaboration within the Colorado River Basin as we all look to secure the needed near-term water supplies."
In addition to these agreements, more than three million acre-feet of system conservation commitments have been made by Lower Basin states. Reclamation is working with stakeholders on further projects aimed at ensuring a resilient future for Colorado River water supplies.
Interior and Reclamation remain engaged with state and tribal partners on post-2026 operations development. Updates on this critical effort will be provided throughout this year as they work towards completing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement by year's end.
More details on Post-2026 Operations can be accessed via CR Post-2026 Operations | Bureau of Reclamation.
