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Colorado River Shortage Preparedness

The Colorado River system is experiencing long-term drought, exacerbated by hotter and drier conditions.
 
The Lower Basin States, since the adoption of the 2007 Guidelines, have taken proactive actions to respond to worsening conditions. Despite those efforts, beginning in 2022, the Lower Colorado River Basin will experience its first declared Tier 1 Colorado River shortage.
 
Within Arizona, we are prepared for these conditions, thanks in large part to our unique collaborative efforts among water leaders including tribes, cities, agriculture, industry and environmental organizations.
 
To protect Lake Mead from falling to even more critical levels, Arizona water leaders are continuing to work together within the state and with partners across the Colorado River basin to develop new approaches to protect and sustain our Colorado River water supply now and into the future.
 

Previous CRSP Meetings

Documents

Name
Memorandum of Understanding - San Diego Interstate Water Exchange
Lower Division States’ Proposal for Short-Term Operations of the Colorado River, Transmittal Letter, May 1, 2026
Lower Division States’ Proposal for Short-Term Operations of the Colorado River, May 1, 2026
Lower Division States’ Proposal for Short-Term Operations of the Colorado River, press release, May 1, 2026
Arizona Post-2026 DEIS Comments, March 2, 2026
ADWR October 25 Statement, Oct 25, 2023
August 15 Seven Basin States Post-2026 Scoping Comment Letter, Aug 15, 2023
August 15 Lower Basin Post-2026 Scoping Comment Letter, Aug 15, 2023
August 15 SNWA, CAP & Metropolitan Post-2026 Scoping Comment Letter, Aug 15, 2023
DWR and CAP's Comments on Reclamation’s Notice of Intent for a Supplemental EIS for the 2007 Interim Guidelines, Dec 20, 2022
Seven Basin States May 22 letter, May 22, 2023
Lower Basin States May 22 letter, May 22, 2023
ADWR & CAP May 22 press release, May 22, 2023
Governor Hobbs, Governor Newsom & Lombardo May 22 letter to DOI, May 21, 2023
ADWR Post-2026 Scoping Comment Letter, August 15, 2023
Arizona, California, Nevada Propose New Approach for Post-2026 Colorado River Operations, March 06, 2024
Lower Basin Alternative for the Post-2026 Coordinated Operation of the Colorado River Basin, March 06, 2024
The Lower Basin States' Alternative for Post-2026 Colorado River Operations FAQs, April 28, 2024
U.S. Department of the Interior May 22 press release, May 22, 2023
Bureau of Reclamation draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, Aug 20…
Bureau of Reclamation Record of Decision, May 07, 2024