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Lower Basin States Propose Two-Year, 3.2 Million Acre-Foot Colorado River Cut

Federal officials are weighing the offer to keep Lake Mead and Lake Powell above critical levels.

The Colorado River runs through the Hite area of Lake Powell where the water of the lake use to be on April 23, 2026 in Lake Powell, Utah. Due to a long term western drought and other factors Lake Powell is well below its capacity.
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Overview

  • Arizona, California and Nevada submitted a conditional plan to the Interior Department to conserve about 3.2 million acre-feet over two years to slow the Colorado River’s decline.
  • The offer adds roughly 700,000 acre-feet per year beyond prior commitments, with the states seeking up to 300,000 more through incentive payments from remaining federal drought funds.
  • The Bureau of Reclamation says it is reviewing the proposal within the Post‑2026 planning process, which is slated to produce a draft in mid-June and a final decision in mid-July.
  • The package leans on upstream help, including federal moves to release up to 1 million acre-feet from Flaming Gorge this spring to sustain power generation at Glen Canyon Dam and bolster Lake Mead.
  • Upper Basin negotiators object to key assumptions and argue the Lower Basin must solve the overuse, while Central Arizona Project leaders say the new plan would ease earlier, more punishing cuts to Phoenix- and Tucson-area supplies.