The Us Has A New Plan For The Colorado River
After years of interstate bickering over the Colorado River’s water supply, the federal government unveiled a new plan on Friday, though the situation remains…fluid.
The plan, which proposes cuts to three states’ water usage, comes after years of drought and overuse. This has left two of the Colorado River’s largest reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell—which help provide drinking water and power for millions of residents—at record lows. (Not to mention, what’s been uncovered by low water levels may scare you off swimming for good.)
The 10-year proposal, which replaces an expiring framework, sets new water limits that will be revisited every two years. According to Sarah Porter, director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University, under the proposed terms:
- California will have to reduce water use by 10%.
- Nevada by 16%.
- Arizona by 27%.
Currently, upstream states (that’s Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Wyoming) won’t have to make any cuts. Downstream negotiators have said they hope to reach a longer-term deal involving all seven states—and states might sue each other or the federal government.
Ripple effect: The agriculture industry uses the majority of the river’s water, and nearly half of that is for growing crops used for animal feed, per the New York Times. An uncertain water supply could also threaten real estate development.—BC
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