Federal Officials Announce Colorado River Water Reductions for Southwest States

Why it matters locally: Arizona is one of the three Southwest states directly impacted by these mandated water use reductions from the Colorado River, requiring the state to decrease its water consumption by a portion of the collective 1.25 million acre-feet annually.

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Federal officials have announced new water use reductions for three Southwest states drawing from the Colorado River. Under a plan from the Bureau of Reclamation, California, Nevada, and Arizona will collectively decrease their water consumption by 1.25 million acre-feet annually. These reductions will remain in effect for the next two years. Authorities indicated that conditions could necessitate further cuts beyond this initial period.