October 19, 2026 5:29 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
October 19, 2026 5:29 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
According to KOLD News 13, ongoing debates over how Colorado River water should be allocated could have major consequences for Arizona farmers. Agriculture relies heavily on Colorado River water, particularly through deliveries from the Central Arizona Project.
If deeper cuts are implemented under new federal operating guidelines, many agricultural operations could face significant reductions in available water. Farmers and water managers are closely watching negotiations as federal officials work to finalize new management rules for the river after 2026.
For CRIT, these discussions are important because agriculture remains one of the largest users of Colorado River water. Decisions about water allocations across the basin could influence farming operations, economic stability, and long-term water planning throughout the region.
According to the Los Angeles Times, officials from Arizona, California, and Nevada are urging the federal government to reconsider parts of its draft plan for managing Colorado River water shortages.
Leaders from the Lower Basin states say the proposal could shift too much responsibility for water reductions onto their states, even though they have already implemented conservation measures in recent years. The request highlights ongoing tensions between the Upper Basin and Lower Basin states as the federal government works toward new operating rules.
For CRIT and other Tribal Nations along the river, the outcome of these negotiations will shape how water shortages are shared across the basin and how the Colorado River is managed in the future.
According to KJZZ, a new agreement involving Arizona and Mexico could move forward plans to produce desalinated ocean water that could eventually supplement Colorado River supplies.
The concept would involve building desalination facilities along the Gulf of California and transporting treated water inland. While the project would require major infrastructure and investment, supporters say it could help reduce reliance on the Colorado River during prolonged drought conditions.
For CRIT, proposals like this reflect how states are exploring alternative water sources as pressure on the Colorado River increases and long-term supply challenges continue.
According to KJZZ, Arizona water officials are pushing back against a draft federal proposal that would guide how the Colorado River is managed after 2026. Leaders from Arizona’s water agencies say the proposal could unfairly shift more water reductions onto Lower Basin states like Arizona.
The plan is part of the Bureau of Reclamation’s process to create new operating rules for Lake Mead and Lake Powell as the river continues to face long-term drought and declining flows. Arizona officials argue the draft proposal does not adequately account for previous conservation efforts already made by Lower Basin states.
For CRIT and other Tribal Nations along the Colorado River, these negotiations are critical because the final federal plan will shape how water shortages are shared and how the river system is managed in the decades ahead.
According to the Colorado Sun, water experts are exploring a “conservation pool” concept that could help stabilize water levels in the Colorado River’s major reservoirs. The idea would create a reserve of water stored specifically to protect Lake Mead and Lake Powell from dropping to critically low levels.
Under the proposal, water users across the basin would contribute conserved water that could be held in reserve and used during severe shortages. Supporters say the concept could provide more flexibility in managing the river during drought conditions.
For CRIT and other Colorado River communities, ideas like this illustrate the kinds of creative management strategies being discussed as officials work to protect the long-term reliability of the river system.
Source:
https://coloradosun.com/2026/03/04/conservation-pool-path-forward-colorado-river/
According to the Imperial Valley Press, California water officials are warning that the federal government’s proposed Colorado River management plan could conflict with the Colorado River Compact and other long-standing water agreements.
State officials say parts of the draft plan could undermine legal water rights that have governed the river for more than a century. The warning highlights growing tension among the basin states as they struggle to reach consensus on how to manage declining river supplies.
For CRIT, discussions about the Law of the River, compacts, and federal authority are especially important because Tribal Nations hold legally recognized water rights that must be considered in future river management decisions.
According to KTAR News, decisions being made about the future management of the Colorado River will have major consequences for Arizona’s water supply. State leaders say upcoming federal decisions on post-2026 river operations could determine how much water Arizona receives during future shortages.
The Colorado River supplies water to millions of people across the Southwest and supports agriculture, cities, and power generation. As negotiations among the seven basin states remain unresolved, federal officials may ultimately have to determine how water reductions are shared.
For CRIT and other Tribal Nations along the Colorado River, these decisions are especially important because new operating rules will guide how the river is managed for decades and could influence water deliveries, infrastructure planning, and long-term water security.
According to 9News Denver, the seven Colorado River Basin states have missed key deadlines to reach a new agreement on how to manage the shrinking river. With negotiations stalled, the federal government may ultimately step in and set new operating rules.
The U.S. Department of the Interior has been working with the states to develop guidelines for managing Lake Mead and Lake Powell after 2026, when current shortage agreements expire. Without consensus among the states, federal officials could impose a plan to prevent reservoir levels from dropping to dangerously low levels.
For CRIT, federal involvement in Colorado River operations is significant because Tribal Nations are key stakeholders in the river system. Decisions made during this process could affect water allocations, infrastructure planning, and the long-term stability of the river that supports communities across the basin.
According to 12News (KPNX), Arizona leaders say the state is approaching a critical moment as Colorado River negotiations continue and water cutbacks remain likely. Officials described the situation as a crossroads, warning that the next few years will require difficult decisions about conservation, water use, and long-term planning.
The looming reductions stem from ongoing negotiations over post-2026 operating rules for the Colorado River, which will determine how water shortages are shared among the seven basin states. Arizona has already taken significant reductions under earlier shortage agreements, and additional cuts could affect cities, agriculture, and water providers across the state.
For CRIT and other Tribal Nations along the river, these discussions are important because future operating guidelines will shape how the Colorado River is managed for decades. Tribal water rights, infrastructure investments, and long-term planning will all be influenced by how states and the federal government resolve these negotiations.
According to the Arizona Republic, scientists say the western United States may not simply be experiencing a drought but a long-term shift toward a drier climate known as “aridification.” Researchers say the region has effectively been in a 32-year drought, but climate patterns suggest the West could remain permanently drier than historical averages.
This shift is affecting the Colorado River Basin, where reservoirs like Lake Mead and Lake Powell remain far below historic levels despite occasional wet years. Scientists say warmer temperatures cause more water to evaporate and reduce snowpack that normally feeds the river.
For CRIT, this concept of aridification is important because it changes how water planning is approached. Instead of preparing for drought cycles followed by recovery, water managers may need to plan for a permanently smaller Colorado River supply.
According to KJZZ, lawmakers introduced around 30 groundwater-related bills during the current Arizona legislative session, but most proposals do not directly focus on conservation. Instead, many of the bills address water development, transportation, or regulatory changes.
Arizona groundwater policy has become a growing concern as communities increasingly turn to underground aquifers to supplement shrinking Colorado River supplies. Some lawmakers and water experts argue stronger conservation policies are needed to protect these aquifers for future generations.
For CRIT and other Tribal communities, groundwater policy is significant because it influences regional water demand and long-term water sustainability across Arizona. As Colorado River supplies tighten, groundwater management decisions could shape how the state balances growth with water availability.
According to KJZZ News, environmental groups are warning of serious long-term impacts to the Colorado River system after negotiators missed another deadline to finalize future water management rules. Advocates say declining reservoir levels, ongoing drought, and delayed agreements could increase pressure on ecosystems, agriculture, and water supplies across the Southwest. The warnings highlight growing urgency for coordinated conservation and policy action. For CRIT, these discussions are important because federal decisions about river operations directly influence how tribal water rights are protected and how long-term water stability is maintained.
Source: KJZZ News — https://www.kjzz.org/politics/2026-02-19/environmental-groups-warn-of-dire-impacts-after-colorado-river-negotiators-miss-another-deadline
According to Nevada Public Radio, Colorado River negotiations continue to face challenges as states balance drought impacts, water demand, and competing priorities. Officials involved in the talks say progress has been uneven and that future agreements may require difficult compromises across the basin. Continued uncertainty highlights the complexity of managing the river under changing climate conditions. For CRIT, ongoing interstate negotiations remain important because federal and regional policy decisions directly affect how tribal water rights are recognized and protected.
Source: Nevada Public Radio — https://knpr.org/show/knprs-state-of-nevada/2026-02-20/nevadas-main-water-negotiator-talks-about-the-bumpy-road-ahead-in-the-colorado-river-discussions
According to Newsweek, recent data shows some improvement in Lake Mead water levels following storms and conservation efforts, offering cautious optimism for the Colorado River system. However, experts note that long-term drought conditions still pose significant challenges and continued conservation will remain essential. Reservoir levels remain a key factor in determining water deliveries across the basin. For CRIT, reservoir conditions remain important because federal operational decisions tied to storage levels directly affect how tribal water allocations are managed and protected.
Source: Newsweek — https://www.newsweek.com/lake-mead-water-levels-get-good-news-11557968
According to Arizona Water News, Arizona and its Lower Basin partners say they remain committed to finding common ground on new Colorado River operating rules despite stalled negotiations among the seven basin states. Officials emphasized continued collaboration with federal agencies and neighboring states to stabilize water supplies beyond 2026 as drought conditions persist. The effort reflects ongoing attempts to balance conservation, water demand, and long-term river sustainability. For CRIT, these negotiations remain important because federal and interstate agreements directly influence how tribal water rights are recognized and protected in future Colorado River management decisions.
Source: Arizona Water News — https://www.azwater.gov/news/articles/2026-02-19
According to the Navajo Times, federal officials are moving forward with developing new Colorado River operating guidelines even as state negotiations remain stalled. The Department of the Interior is continuing its environmental review process to prepare for post-2026 river management, highlighting the federal government’s role when states cannot reach consensus. Tribal consultation remains part of that process. For CRIT, federal involvement is significant because Colorado River policies shaped at the federal level directly affect tribal water rights, long-term planning, and regional water security.
Source: Navajo Times — https://navajotimes.com/reznews/federal-officials-move-forward-on-colorado-river-operating-rules-as-state-negotiations-stall/
According to ABC 15 Arizona, tribal nations along the Colorado River are among those with the most at stake as negotiations over future water allocations continue. Tribal leaders emphasize the importance of protecting established water rights while ensuring sustainable solutions to ongoing drought conditions. The article highlights how tribal participation is increasingly central in discussions about the river’s future. For CRIT, these conversations are especially important because tribal sovereignty and water rights remain critical factors in how Colorado River resources are managed across the basin. (more…)
(PARKER, Ariz.) The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) remains vigilant and recognizes the efforts brought forward in the release of the Record of Decision (ROD) for operations of Lake Powell and Lake Mead (2027–2036). The Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) is not imposing illegal water cuts on CRIT that it initially proposed in the draft EIS issued earlier this year.
CRIT recognizes the current water crisis impacts the millions of people who depend on the River including wildlife and natural habitats. CRIT’s own membership residing in the various towns, cities, states will be impacted by water shortages. Indeed, the Tribes’ deep-rooted connection to the River spans since time immemorial.
The ROD cites to formally include Tribal nations including CRIT in the Basin-wide consultation structure. CRIT has been seeking this for years and hopes the BOR keeps to their promise.
On behalf of the CRIT Tribal Council, Chairwoman Amelia Flores states, “The efforts of CRIT have made a difference. The numerous meetings and discussions between CRIT’s Tribal Council and the Bureau of Reclamation have clearly had an impact. In the ROD, the Bureau of Reclamation acknowledged they would follow the decree established in AZ v. California. This is of critical importance to CRIT, which holds the most senior Tribal rights in the Lower Basin.”
Tribal Council Member Tommy Drennan states, “We turn another page in this water crisis. We go forward to defend the river, our allocation, and the voice of our CRIT nation. It is progress, knowing that the US recognizes the need to work towards further solutions until the river recovers. It is progress to know there are no illegal reductions facing our allocation today. We will continue to do what we must to keep the river alive.”
Councilmember Raeanne Patch states, “Given the critical status of the river, tribal consultation is mandatory in every discussion and decision regarding the Colorado River.”
Councilmember Anisa Patch states, “As the river’s natural ability to replenish itself falls further behind, CRIT continues defending our water allocation and traditional lifelines, navigating colonial processes. We fight to preserve our livelihoods, the livelihoods of all living things who depend on this river to the changed landscapes ahead.”
Councilmember Tracey Quillen states, “I am proud of the work CRIT has done to bring us to this point, but our work is not finished. We remain vigilant in protecting our water and will continue working together to ensure that our rights are respected and protected for generations to come.”
The ROD preserves the legal status of CRIT’s water rights. It also clarified Reclamation will not rely on misdealing assumptions about CRIT’s water use in the FEIS (Final Environmental Impact Statement) regarding CRIT’s inability to entirely use its water resources.
However, the ROD also introduces a series of two-year operating frameworks under which additional reductions in water supply for central Arizona could be adopted if reservoir conditions worsen. As a result, CRIT will continue to proactively engage with Reclamation and other stakeholders throughout these successive two-year processes to fully protect CRIT’s water rights.
In November, the CRIT Tribal Council voted unanimously to proclaim Personhood Status for the Colorado River, acknowledging the Colorado River as a living entity whose health and well-being are intrinsically linked to the well-being of the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) members.
While the Tribal Council will stay engaged regarding CRIT’s water allocation, It will also continue to actively address the limitations in water delivery infrastructure which must be addressed by the federal government.
Flores added, “As this water crisis persists, CRIT continues conservation measures to preserve the life of the Colorado River.”
New World Screwworm detected near the border.
Follow the link for details.
Veterinarian-Stakeholder Comms-WOLKER-SIGNED
The Colorado River has faced historic drought and declining reservoir levels for more than two decades. In 2019, the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, and representatives of the seven Colorado River Basin states signed the Drought Contingency Plans (DCP). The plans established coordinated conservation measures to reduce the risk of Lake Mead and Lake Powell falling to critically low levels.
The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) were among the Colorado River water users that voluntarily agreed to conserve water as part of the DCP. Between 2020 and 2022, the Tribes conserved 150,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water, helping keep additional water in Lake Mead. An acre-foot is enough water to cover one acre of land one foot deep.
CRIT received compensation for the 150,000 acre-feet it conserved. The effort also left approximately 10,000 acre-feet of additional water in Lake Mead. CRIT was not compensated for that portion, which became the Tribes’ Intentionally Created Surplus (ICS).
ICS is conserved water stored in Lake Mead for later use. The Bureau of Reclamation continues to credit the water to CRIT, similar to money held in a savings account. The balance is separate from the Tribes’ regular annual Colorado River allocation, and using it would not reduce CRIT’s allocation in future years.
Two rules govern CRIT’s ICS water. The first involves evaporation. The Bureau of Reclamation accounts for ICS as water stored at the top of the reservoir, making it subject to evaporation losses. Similar to water sitting in an uncovered container, water at the surface is the first to evaporate.
Those losses have reduced CRIT’s original ICS balance from approximately 10,000 acre-feet to 9,009 acre-feet. Water lost through evaporation cannot be recovered, and CRIT does not receive compensation for it. The longer the water remains in Lake Mead, the less CRIT has available to use or receive compensation for.
The second rule limits who may use ICS. It may only be used by the federal government or another entity that also holds ICS. Under the current rules, the Central Arizona Project, commonly known as CAP, and the Gila River Indian Community are the only eligible users for CRIT’s stored water.
CAP has approached Tribal Council about using the water in exchange for compensation. A possible agreement would allow CRIT to receive value from the remaining balance before additional water is lost through evaporation.
CRIT’s ICS is a finite Tribal resource created through conservation. Tribal Council is now considering how to use the remaining 9,009 acre-feet before evaporation further reduces its potential value.
On July 31, the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was released for the Post-2026 Operational Guidelines and Strategies for Lake Powell and Lake Mead. The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) Attorney General’s Office swiftly responded upon its release. There are major highlights to note in both the comment letter and the FEIS.
The release of the FEIS is the next step in the process of Reclamation implementing an operations plan for the upcoming water year beginning on October 1. We expect a Record of Decision (ROD), where Reclamation will identify the overall operational parameters for Lake Powell and Lake Mead for the next 10 years, to be released later this week.
CRIT’s declaration of Personhood Status has made it into the official federal record through the FEIS. For the first time ever, Reclamation has acknowledged that the Colorado River is entitled to protection under CRIT law. While it may appear to be a small acknowledgment within this massive federal document, its significance should not be overlooked because it recognizes CRIT’s sovereign Tribal law and its role in protecting the River for generations to come.
Reclamation removed pro-rata distribution from the Preferred Alternative, as it had previously told Council they would (read about their visit here https://bit.ly/4z4Yl13). The letter acknowledges that the federal government has stated in the Preferred Alternative that it will not impact Tribal water entitlements and that any water transactions must be between willing parties.
While Reclamation removed pro-rata from the Preferred Alternative, it did not remove the language from its initial listing of alternatives. The Attorney General was clear that CRIT will always oppose any approach that could disregard the established priority system by allocating shortages proportionally among water users, including those with senior rights, instead of following the law and protecting senior Tribal rights.
Despite these important developments, Reclamation did not fully address CRIT’s earlier comments, and concerns remain with the Final EIS. It continues to incorrectly group CRIT with Tribes that receive water through the Central Arizona Project (CAP). CRIT’s water rights are directly from the Colorado River and are acknowledged in Arizona v. California as the senior-most Tribal right on the Colorado River, which makes CRIT’s water rights fundamentally different from those of Tribes in Central Arizona. Therefore, treating CRIT as though it is similarly situated to CAP Tribes is fundamentally wrong and risks obscuring the legal priority and unique status of CRIT’s water rights.
Just as importantly, CRIT again raised concerns about the lack of meaningful Tribal participation in the broader Basin States negotiation process. CRIT’s position is that Tribal Nations must have a meaningful role in shaping the decisions, not simply an opportunity to comment after those decisions have already taken form.
Quickly filing the comment letter before Reclamation takes any action, and identifying the items in the FEIS where Reclamation failed to address CRIT’s comments, are important parts of the legal process necessary to preserve CRIT’s rights for the future.
Read the comment letter in its entirety and the FEIS below.
Comment Letter
L_Colorado River Indian Tribes_Comments to BOR on Final EIS on Post-2026 Operation Guidelines for Lake Powell and Mead_08022026
FEIS
https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/final-eis/index.html
