California has agreed to significantly reduce its water intake from the Colorado River as part of a new 10-year plan released by the Trump administration. The plan addresses declining water levels in the river, which has been a source of conflict between agricultural interests and urban areas, as well as among different states.
The Colorado River is a critical water source for California, supplying approximately one-third of the water for the state's cities and suburbs in the south, and irrigating millions of acres of farmland. The new framework aims to manage disputes between upstream states—Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and New Mexico—and downstream states, including California, Arizona, and Nevada.
Downstream states have argued they have already curtailed their water usage, while upstream states contend that any restrictions could hinder economic development. Intensifying drought conditions and rising temperatures have exacerbated the river's strained condition, intensifying the competition for its water.
Under the administration's plan, the Lower Basin states could collectively face cuts of up to 130 billion cubic feet by 2036, an amount sufficient to supply water for 25 million people annually. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum stated in a press release that the framework offers "flexibility to respond to changing hydrologic conditions while preserving the opportunity for the Basin States to continue working toward durable, consensus-based solutions."
Specific details regarding the volume of water flow under various river conditions were not included in the proposal. However, officials indicated that California will decrease its Colorado River water consumption by about 12% through 2028. Arizona is set to reduce its usage by approximately 31%, and Nevada by 28%. Water management decisions under the 10-year plan will be reviewed every two years.
The plan has already drawn criticism from Arizona. Governor Katie Hobbs stated that "inequitable, federally imposed cuts to our Colorado River water allocation will be unacceptable to Arizonans, and will put every American at risk."