Colorado River Basin states have blown past two deadlines (November 2025 and February 2026) to reach an agreement on divvying up the Colorado River’s dwindling water supply. Despite the federal government stepping in, states are still playing hardball.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation introduced a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in January that outlined proposed cuts to Colorado River water usage starting in 2027. During a 45-day public comment period that closed earlier this month, over 18,000 comments were submitted in response to the agency’s proposed plan, a large majority of which were in opposition.
Under the agency’s draft EIS, the federal government will impose sharp cuts to many users if the states fail to reach a deal by October. These cuts would fall most heavily on Arizona, but not without pushback—officials confirmed this week that the state already hired a top-tier law firm to help with Colorado River litigation.
Nevada, California, and other basin states have also indicated their intent to fight for their fair share of Colorado River water.
“It is very frustrating, we are here, nearly the 11th hour,” said Yuma, Arizona Mayor Doug Nicholls. “This process could have been taken care of by the states, but wasn’t.”
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Opinion: Collaborative conservation in a time of discord
Quote of the day
The challenge of enhancing collaboration includes supporting public agency staffing and funding for agencies and other partners to engage in collaborative conservation efforts.”
—Lynn Scarlett, former deputy secretary at the U.S. Department of the Interior, Ground Shift
Picture This
The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge protects the largest intact remnant of a once vast forested wetland in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. This remarkable swamp once covered more than a million acres.
Spring is a beautiful time here. Bald cypress and other trees begin to leaf out, wildflowers bloom, migratory songbirds return, and insects are minimal.
Keep an eye out for young turtles, some no bigger than a walnut, crossing refuge roads around dawn and dusk.
Photo by Rebecca Wynn / @usfws
(Featured image: Horseshoe Bend of the Colorado River in Arizona. Photo by Charles Wang)