October 19, 2026 7:40 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
October 19, 2026 7:40 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
Colorado River negotiations are moving on several fronts, and this week one of those developments directly involved the Colorado River Indian Tribes.
The Central Arizona Water Conservation District Board approved an agreement with CRIT involving 9,009 acre-feet of Intentionally Created Surplus (ICS) water, while also authorizing the district to protect its rights through legal action if necessary as disputes over future Colorado River operations continue.
Central Arizona Project reported that the agreement involves Extraordinary Conservation Intentionally Created Surplus, or EC-ICS, created through fallowing activities at the CRIT farm in 2019 and 2020. Under the agreement, the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District will acquire the right to take delivery of the 9,009 acre-feet currently held in CRIT’s ICS account.
If transferring the ICS is not feasible, CAP reported that CAWCD and CRIT would instead execute a lease for an equivalent amount of water under the same terms. The agreement also states that the two parties will look for additional opportunities to work together on water governance and management.
The same CAWCD meeting addressed the growing legal uncertainty surrounding Colorado River operations. The board authorized CAWCD to protect and defend its rights if legal action becomes necessary. CAP did not announce a new lawsuit at the meeting, but the authorization gives the district the ability to respond as disputes over the federal operating framework develop.
While Arizona water agencies consider their next steps, another agreement is taking shape farther downstream.
The United States and Mexico reached a Colorado River agreement covering 2027 and 2028. WaterWorld reported that Mexico’s annual deliveries will be reduced by 250,000 acre-feet during each of those years. Those reductions accompany the 1.25 million acre-feet in annual reductions planned for Lower Basin water users in Arizona, California and Nevada.
The agreement also continues cooperation between the two countries on salinity management, environmental programs and studies of potential new water supplies and desalination. If conditions worsen, the United States and Mexico agreed to discuss possible additional reductions in 2028. If Lake Mead improves significantly, the countries would discuss increasing Mexico’s deliveries.
The international agreement provides another piece of the short-term operating picture, but the seven Basin states still have not reached their own long-term agreement.
Arizona Water News reported that Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzke continues to identify Upper Basin conservation as a major unresolved issue. During a PBS NewsHour Colorado River discussion, Buschatzke said Arizona wants the Upper Basin states to provide conservation that can be measured and delivered into Lake Powell with greater certainty. (more…)
The Colorado River’s new operating framework may provide short-term direction, but the larger fight over how the river should be divided is still unresolved.
University of Arizona News reported that the Bureau of Reclamation’s Aug. 21 decision sets operations for 2027 and 2028, with new guidelines to be reconsidered every two years after that as negotiations continue.
Under the framework, Arizona’s Colorado River deliveries will be reduced by 760,000 acre-feet. Sharon Megdal, director of the University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center, said the reductions are significant but not as deep as some earlier possibilities. She also noted that Tucson has spent years storing Central Arizona Project water underground, giving the city an additional supply to draw from during shortages.
The framework gives Arizona and other Lower Basin users some near-term certainty, but it does not settle the disagreement between the Upper and Lower basins.
Colorado Public Radio reported that the river’s 10-year flow at Lee’s Ferry may soon fall below a level that has become an important point in the debate over the 1922 Colorado River Compact.
The Compact states that the Upper Basin cannot cause flows at Lee’s Ferry to fall below 75 million acre-feet over any 10-year period. The question becomes more complicated when Mexico’s share of Colorado River water is included. Water experts interviewed by CPR said the Upper Basin disputes how much additional water it may be obligated to provide.
Officials estimate that the 10-year flow could fall below 82.5 million acre-feet by October. Some Lower Basin officials have pointed to that level as a possible legal trigger in the ongoing dispute over Compact obligations.
If the states cannot resolve those disagreements through negotiation, the issue could eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court. CPR reported that both Upper and Lower Basin states are already preparing for possible litigation.
That would not be a quick process. The last major interstate Colorado River case, Arizona v. California, took more than a decade to reach a ruling, with additional decrees continuing for decades afterward.
Tribal water rights are also part of the legal landscape. CPR reported that 30 federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Colorado River Basin collectively hold rights to more than one-quarter of the river’s water. Some of those rights remain unresolved, while other Tribes still lack the infrastructure needed to fully use their water.
The KJZZ “Troubled Waters” project also highlights another concern: much of the negotiation over the river’s future has taken place behind closed doors. The reporting notes that Tribal leaders and transparency advocates have raised questions about who is included in negotiations and how decisions affecting the entire Basin are being made.
Together, the Sept. 9 reports show that the Basin is moving through two different processes at the same time. Arizona and other Lower Basin users are preparing for immediate reductions beginning in 2027, while the seven Basin states continue arguing over the much larger question of how the Colorado River should be managed over the long term.
What does this mean for CRIT?
The short-term framework provides more clarity about what will happen in 2027 and 2028, but the larger negotiations remain important.
CRIT’s senior Colorado River rights put the Tribe in a different legal position than many Central Arizona Project users. Still, disputes between the Upper and Lower basins could shape reservoir operations, federal decision-making, and the broader legal framework surrounding the river. (more…)
Arizona may have to use less Colorado River water than it has at any point in modern history, while water agencies are also preparing for possible legal fights and emergency reservoir operations.
KJZZ reported on a new analysis from independent Colorado River experts that described the reductions facing Arizona, California, and Nevada as “unprecedented.” The researchers said recent water use in the Lower Basin is already relatively low, leaving fewer easy conservation options if deeper cuts are required.
Arizona is expected to take the largest share of the 2027 and 2028 Lower Basin reductions. The Central Arizona Project would absorb much of that impact because of its junior priority within Arizona’s Colorado River allocation.
CAP leaders are also preparing for the possibility that the dispute could move into court. KJZZ reported that the Central Arizona Water Conservation District board took a procedural step that could allow future legal action over the federal Colorado River plan. The agency has not filed a lawsuit, but the move keeps that option open as Arizona evaluates the federal framework.
While legal and policy questions continue, federal officials are also trying to protect Lake Powell. KSL reported that the Bureau of Reclamation is releasing between 660,000 and 1 million acre-feet of additional water from Flaming Gorge Reservoir through April 2027. The releases are intended to help keep Lake Powell above critical elevations needed for dam operations and hydropower. Utah officials said Flaming Gorge cannot serve as a permanent solution to Lake Powell’s decline.
The additional release shows how connected the Upper and Lower basins are. Water stored hundreds of miles upstream can be moved to protect Lake Powell, which in turn affects releases into the Lower Basin and the larger operation of the Colorado River.
Boise State Public Radio and the Mountain West News Bureau analyzed Bureau of Reclamation data and found that irrigated agriculture accounted for about 65% of overall Colorado River consumptive use from 2000 through 2024. When evaporation is excluded and only human uses are considered, agriculture accounted for roughly 74%. Reservoir evaporation itself represented at least 12% of total use in the analysis.
The report also found differences in how water use is measured across the Basin. Lower Basin deliveries are generally measured directly from reservoirs and canals, while Upper Basin use is often estimated by calculating stream depletion and return flows. Those different systems can make exact comparisons difficult.
Groundwater pressures are developing alongside the Colorado River shortage. The Arizona Farm Bureau reported that the Willcox Basin is losing about 150,000 acre-feet more groundwater each year than is naturally replaced. Arizona’s proposed management approach would seek to cut that overdraft roughly in half over time, which could require significant reductions from agriculture.
Together, the Sept. 8 reports show that the next phase of Colorado River management will involve more than setting a shortage number. Arizona and other Basin states are dealing with legal questions, reservoir operations, agricultural demand, groundwater decline, and even disagreements over how water use should be measured.
What does this mean for CRIT?
These reports are especially relevant because the Tribe holds senior Colorado River rights and is a major agricultural water user directly along the river.
The CAP legal discussion mainly concerns users with different priorities than CRIT, but the larger dispute still matters. Decisions about Lake Powell, Lake Mead, and the division of shortages shape the river system where CRIT’s rights are exercised.
The Flaming Gorge releases also show how federal managers are using water throughout the Basin to protect critical reservoir elevations. Even though that water originates far upstream, the condition of Lake Powell affects the entire Colorado River system.
The water-use reporting is particularly relevant to agriculture. With agriculture representing the largest share of consumptive use Basin-wide, future conservation discussions are likely to continue focusing heavily on farms. For CRIT, that makes it important to distinguish the Tribe’s senior rights, agricultural economy, and existing water management from other categories of water use.
Sources
KJZZ, “Colorado River cuts could force ‘unprecedented’ low water use for Arizona, new study finds.”
https://www.kjzz.org/science/2026-09-08/colorado-river-cuts-could-force-unprecedented-low-water-use-for-arizona-new-study-finds
KJZZ, “CAP leaders take a step toward legal action over Arizona’s Colorado River water share.”
https://www.kjzz.org/politics/2026-09-05/cap-leaders-take-a-step-toward-legal-action-over-arizonas-colorado-river-water-share
KSL, “More water being released from Flaming Gorge to help Lake Powell.”
https://www.ksl.com/article/news/utah/environment/more-water-being-released-from-flaming-gorge-to-help-lake-powell/51621145
Boise State Public Radio, “Measuring the use of Colorado River water is harder than it looks.”
https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/news/2026-09-08/measuring-the-use-of-colorado-river-water-is-harder-than-it-looks
Arizona Farm Bureau, “Willcox Plan Shakes Up Arizona Groundwater Policy.”
https://www.azfb.org/Article/arizona-groundwater-willcox-management-plan
Arizona’s water future is coming down to more than how much Colorado River water the state receives. It is also about whether communities can store, treat, move, and protect the water they already have.
KTAR reported that residents in McMullen Valley are pushing for a special election to designate the rural western Arizona basin as an Active Management Area. An AMA would allow the area to regulate groundwater pumping where supplies are limited.
The effort is being led by the McMullen Valley Water Defenders PAC, which is collecting signatures to place the question before local voters. The group is concerned about groundwater pumping, outside investment, and the possibility of water being moved out of the basin for use elsewhere. KTAR reported that an Arizona Department of Water Resources report found the McMullen Valley aquifer is in deficit, with more water being taken out than replaced.
Groundwater protection is becoming more important as Colorado River supplies shrink. If less water comes through the Central Arizona Project canal, more communities may look to groundwater, stored water, and local wells. That makes rural groundwater basins a larger part of Arizona’s water conversation.
At the same time, Valley cities are preparing for less Colorado River water. KJZZ reported that most people in metro Phoenix may not notice immediate day-to-day changes when cuts begin because cities have spent years developing backup supplies. Those supplies include Salt and Verde River water, groundwater, and water stored underground for dry years.
But KJZZ also reported that residents may notice the cost. Cities are building expensive infrastructure to manage future shortages, including water purification facilities, wells, and other projects. Phoenix, for example, is investing more than $300 million in one advanced water purification facility that would clean wastewater to safe drinking water standards.
Gilbert is also preparing. ABC15 reported that about 41% of Gilbert’s water portfolio comes from the Colorado River, and the town expects to lose about 20% of that supply if the Lower Basin proposal is adopted for 2027 and 2028. Gilbert said the cuts could move the town into Stage 2 of its water shortage plan as early as Jan. 1, 2027.
ABC15 reported that Gilbert is investing in the North Water Treatment Plant expansion and eight new wells. The town said its conservation programs saved 459 million gallons in 2025, but future infrastructure needs could still lead to higher water rates.
Tucson is also investing in water security, but from a different angle. KGUN reported that Gov. Katie Hobbs and Tucson Mayor Regina Romero cut the ribbon on an expanded PFAS water treatment facility on Tucson’s west side. The Tucson Airport Remediation Project is designed to protect groundwater and strengthen the city’s locally controlled water supply as Colorado River cuts approach.
KGUN reported that the $25 million project was funded through the American Rescue Plan Act. The expanded facility treats water affected by PFAS and reduces those chemicals to non-detectable levels before the water is used for parks and golf courses.
The Arizona water discussion is also reaching planning and development. AZ Big Media reported that the new federal Colorado River plan will require Arizona to reduce water use by 760,000 acre-feet in 2027 and 2028, while California reduces by about 440,000 acre-feet and Nevada by 50,000 acre-feet. The article said the plan is less aggressive than earlier federal proposals, but it still puts Arizona’s long-term planning to the test. (more…)
The Colorado River’s next operating plan is now official, but the larger fight over the river’s future is still unsettled.
On Aug. 21, the Department of the Interior finalized the 2027–2028 Operating Guidelines and Record of Decision for future Colorado River operations. The decision sets the near-term rules for Lake Powell and Lake Mead after the current operating agreements expire in 2026.
Under the plan, Arizona, California, and Nevada will reduce their use of Colorado River water by 1.25 million acre-feet each year in 2027 and 2028. If the Lower Basin states use their proposed sharing agreement, Arizona would take the largest reduction at 760,000 acre-feet per year. California would reduce use by 440,000 acre-feet, and Nevada would reduce use by 50,000 acre-feet.
The plan also calls for at least 700,000 acre-feet of additional voluntary conservation over the two-year period to help protect the system.
Arizona officials said the final decision gives the state some short-term certainty, but it does not resolve the longer-term issue. ADWR said the federal decision avoids the most severe near-term reductions that had been discussed earlier, but the larger framework for years three through 10 remains a concern.
KJZZ reported that Arizona will still take the biggest cuts under the new plan. The reductions are expected to affect Central Arizona Project supplies, which serve cities, farms, and some Tribal communities in central and southern Arizona. Central Arizona Project users are more exposed because CAP holds junior-priority Colorado River rights.
CRIT and other Tribal leaders also raised concerns about the federal process. ICT reported that the Colorado River Indian Tribes and the Gila River Indian Community pushed back on the federal plan, saying Tribal governments were not sufficiently included in the decision-making process. ICT reported that CRIT holds water rights to more than 23% of Arizona’s Colorado River allocation, making the Tribe one of the largest Colorado River water rights holders in the state.
Arizona Digital Free Press also reported that CRIT asked Reclamation to delay the Record of Decision to allow more time for review and government-to-government consultation. CRIT said decisions about Lake Powell and Lake Mead must respect senior water rights, federal trust responsibilities, and meaningful Tribal consultation.
The federal decision came as the river’s two largest reservoirs remained at historic lows. AP reported that Lake Powell hit a record low, threatening water and electricity supplies for millions of people. The low levels at Lake Powell and Lake Mead continue to raise concerns about hydropower, reservoir operations, and future water deliveries.
Those power concerns are tied directly to agriculture. The Arizona Farm Bureau reported that farmers are asking where they will turn if the hydropower they rely on becomes less available. Irrigation districts and farms depend on power to move water, and higher energy costs can increase the cost of producing crops.
Arizona cities are also preparing for more expensive water. Fox 10 reported that Colorado River cuts could drive up water prices as cities invest in infrastructure, wells, conservation programs, and alternative supplies. Gilbert has been one example. ABC15 reported that the town is preparing for less Colorado River water before expected 2027 cuts, including work to secure backup supplies and expand water infrastructure.
Arizona is also looking beyond conservation. KJZZ reported that a state agency advanced partnership projects with California and Mexico that could increase Arizona’s water supply. Those ideas include projects that would generate or conserve water elsewhere in exchange for benefits to Arizona’s Colorado River supply.
At the same time, KJZZ reported that Arizona’s water systems received a “C” grade from the American Society of Civil Engineers. The report said larger cities tend to be better prepared, while smaller and rural communities often face greater infrastructure challenges. That difference matters as shortage planning becomes more dependent on storage, treatment, wells, and delivery systems. (more…)
The Colorado River’s new operating rules are now in place for 2027 and 2028, but the final week of August showed that the fight over the river’s future is far from settled.
Arizona’s top water official told KJZZ that the state is preparing for a 760,000 acre-foot reduction in 2027 and 2028. Most of that reduction is expected to come from the Central Arizona Project, which delivers Colorado River water to central and southern Arizona. Tom Buschatzke, director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, said Arizona is prepared to manage that level of reduction in the short term, partly because the Arizona Water Banking Authority has stored water underground for future shortages.
But the short-term plan does not answer the larger question. Reclamation’s framework extends through 2036, and future operations could still change every two years depending on hydrology, reservoir levels, and whether the Basin states reach new agreements.
The Central Arizona Project said the Record of Decision and operating guidelines show the need for Arizona, California, and Nevada to complete a three-state agreement. CAP said the 2027–2028 guidelines adopt a historic level of conservation proposed by the Lower Basin states, but the post-2028 framework remains a major concern because it could allow deeper cuts to Arizona and CAP users.
Nevada has already gone to court. Several Nevada outlets reported that the state sued the federal government over the new Colorado River operating plan. Navajo Times reported that Nevada’s lawsuit could also affect the Navajo Nation’s push to move its Arizona water rights settlement through Congress before the end of the year. The article reported that the lawsuit asks a federal judge to set aside the July Final Environmental Impact Statement, the Aug. 21 Record of Decision, and the 2027–2028 operating guidelines.
High Country News reported that the new Colorado River rules will affect Tribal Nations differently because not all Tribes hold the same type of rights or receive water through the same infrastructure. Some Tribes have senior rights directly on the river. Others rely on Central Arizona Project supplies, federal settlement water, or infrastructure that has not yet been built.
The article also discussed CRIT’s position. CRIT’s reservation stretches along the Colorado River in Arizona and California, and its rights are governed by the 1963 U.S. Supreme Court decree in Arizona v. California. CRIT Chairwoman Amelia Flores described CRIT’s rights as the most senior Tribal water rights in the Lower Basin, going back to 1865. High Country News reported that CRIT welcomed Reclamation’s statement that it would follow the court decree and would not impose reductions on CRIT’s allocation, but Tribal leaders said consultation must remain part of every Colorado River decision.
Arizona communities are also adjusting to the new water reality. KTAR, through AMWUA, reported that Arizona’s 2027 and 2028 cuts could mean up to a 20% reduction in municipal providers’ Central Arizona Project supplies. AMWUA said the larger concern is the 2029–2036 framework, which could allow deeper reductions if conditions worsen.
Water costs are also expected to rise. KOLD reported that Colorado River cuts could drive up water bills as cities invest in new wells, storage, conservation, and infrastructure. KGUN reported that state leaders at the Arizona Water Summit said residents should not expect their taps to run dry in the next few years, but long-term planning and investment will be needed.
That planning is already happening in some communities. CBS 5 Arizona’s Family reported that San Luis is preparing for a major wastewater plant upgrade as water scarcity grows. The project is part of a larger effort to improve local water infrastructure and prepare for future demand.
Groundwater remains another pressure point. KJZZ reported that a rural coalition is starting a campaign to establish a groundwater protection zone in McMullen Valley. The effort reflects a broader concern in rural Arizona: as surface water becomes less reliable, groundwater basins may face more pressure from growth, agriculture, and new development.
The final week of August showed that Colorado River planning is now moving on several fronts at once. Arizona is preparing for near-term reductions. Nevada is challenging the federal plan in court. CAP wants a three-state deal. Tribal Nations are watching how the rules affect senior rights, settlement water, and infrastructure. Cities are preparing for higher costs. Rural communities are looking for stronger groundwater protections. (more…)
A new federal policy proposal is threatening to Colorado River tribal water rights, and tribal leaders are fighting back. The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) issued a forceful set of comments in response to the Bureau of Reclamation’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) outlining proposed alternatives for post-2026 operations for Lake Powell and Lake Mead.
In its current form, the DEIS includes an analysis of several alternatives for Colorado River operations that would distribute water shortages by cutting water to all users on a pro-rata basis. By doing this, it aims to treat all users the same, regardless of priority date. For CRIT, which holds senior rights in the Lower Colorado River, rights that date back to 1865, and are protected under the Supreme Court decree in Arizona v. California. Such an approach would undermine the very legal foundation that secures the Tribe’s access to water. Making matters worse, the draft also relies on assumptions tied to current consumptive use. This framework risks penalizing CRIT for the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ (BIA) failure to efficiently operate and properly maintain the Colorado River Indian Irrigation Project, which is the primary means for CRIT to use its water.
If this draft is finalized without any changes, and these policies are put into action, some of the alternatives proposed in the report would represent significant policy shift for Colorado River management. Current operating agreements that govern the river expire at the end of 2026, which is the reason for federal officials to develop new guidelines intended to manage rising demand. Currently, there is extreme pressure to find solutions due to worsening drought conditions, declining reservoir levels, and increasing uncertainty across the basin.
In its response, CRIT asserts that several proposed federal approaches conflict with long-established water law and threaten to undermine the Tribe’s senior water rights. CRIT’s comment letter warns that without significant revision, the draft could place federal actions in violation of existing U.S. Supreme Court decrees. In its letter, Tribal Council made very clear to the Secretary of the Interior and Reclamation officials that it will take any actions it deems necessary to protect CRIT’s rights, including litigation before the Supreme Court.
Why Pro-rata should never be considered:
Pro-rata was put into consideration under the previous presidential administration, and continues on in the current government. This was one of several potential alternatives to address the significant shortages in Arizona, which stands to lose at least 27% of its entire water allocation. Under the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) pro-rata concept, they would address water shortages by cutting deliveries evenly among users based on the percentage of water they currently use (or consume), rather than on each user’s legal priority.
Priority Matters: First in Time – First in Right
A water-user’s ‘priority’ is like a place in line, users at the front of the line are usually those who established their right to use water first. They get their water first, and in full, while lower-priority users, who established their water rights later in time, get their full share of water if there is still enough to go around. Only in times of extraordinary shortage, and after all lower-priority users are cut to zero, would ‘first-priority’ users have to take less than they are legally entitled to use. This is a long-established truth about Western U.S. water law: though it can lead to harsh outcomes, first in time = first in right… and all western water-users know this is how water law works.
But under a pro-rata approach, the Priority system would conveniently disappear, and all water users, regardless of when their rights were established, would share reductions during times of shortage. For CRIT, whose water rights are among the most senior in the Lower Basin, a pro-rata system represents a fundamental shift away from long-standing legal principles that have historically governed how Colorado River water is distributed.
Pro-rata has been vehemently opposed by CRIT leaders as a violation of the law and an attack on CRIT tribal sovereignty. On two separate occasions in the past 6 months, leaders from DOI and Reclamation have met with Council. On both of those occasions, Tribal Council has been forceful that pro-rata shortages are illegal.
Due to a hotter and drier climate, reservoirs at Lake Mead and Lake Powell have dropped to historically low elevations, and federal officials warn that existing management strategies have not been sufficient to stabilize the system. The DEIS proposes a range of operational alternatives designed to balance two competing priorities; 1) maintaining water deliveries to users across seven states, and 2) protecting reservoir storage in order to maintain infrastructure integrity.
Federal officials state that new guidelines are needed to provide predictability to water users while adapting to increasingly dry conditions expected in the future. The proposed framework would guide operations for up to 20 years, beginning in October 2026. CRIT argues that portions of the draft plan conflict with established federal law and the Supreme Court Decree governing the Colorado River.
Water Rights and Infrastructure Challenges
CRIT’s response also highlights longstanding infrastructure challenges affecting the Colorado River Indian Irrigation Project (CRIIP). Since its original construction, the irrigation system serving the Reservation has seen little modernization or meaningful improvement to meet 21st-century operational standards. As a result, aging canals leak significant amounts of water into the ground before it ever reaches a field or crops, and the canals operate so inefficiently that enormous amounts of water is allowed to spill off the end of the system, straight back into the Colorado River, without ever being turned out onto a field.
Addressing this problem is no simple undertaking. The irrigation system is federally owned and managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), an agency that has faced decades of declining funding and limited operational capacity. According to CRIT’s response, these systemic challenges have prevented the Tribe from fully utilizing water.
The passage of the Colorado River Indian Tribes Water Resiliency Act of 2022 further strengthens this effort by granting CRIT the authority to store, conserve, and lease its water. Historically, the water has been lost through deteriorating canals can instead be preserved for tribal agriculture, community development, and, if the Tribe chooses, leased to generate revenue that directly benefits CRIT and its members. The Tribe’s adoption of its Water Code and recognition of the Colorado River’s Personhood Status under tribal law further reinforces this framework of sovereignty and stewardship. One of the main goals for CRIT in pursuing these efforts is to expand agricultural operations across the reservation. These efforts will create greater opportunities for Tribal members and ensure long-term prosperity for the community and more importantly, for future generations.
CRIT also forcefully argues that Reclamation must acknowledge the Personhood Status of the Colorado River under tribal law. The Tribe claims that the DEIS must analyze the impacts on the Colorado River from diverting water for use in central Arizona. The water is best left in-stream to benefit and protect its status as a living entity, which provides spiritual, cultural, and religious benefits to tribal members.
Taken together, these developments underscore why CRIT views the current federal proposal as a defining moment. This is why pro-rata should never be considered, because it undermines all the progress CRIT has made to ensure it can use its water rights entirely, and within the long-established, existing legal framework. The Tribe’s response makes clear that decisions affecting the Colorado River cannot move forward without full recognition of tribal rights and authority. CRIT has signaled that it is prepared to defend those rights, and if necessary, take this matter to the United States Supreme Court.
Read the document in its entirety – Comments from the Colorado River Indian Tribes on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement on Post-2026 Operational Guidelines for Lake Powell and Lake Mead. Follow the link below.
BOR_Comments CRIT Draft Environmental Impact Statement on Post 2026 Operational Guidelines and Strategies for La
Chief Irataba stands among the most notable figures in Native American history. Some leaders are remembered for their war strategy and resistance, while others are known for diplomacy and negotiation. Rarely do those qualities come together in one leader. Chief Irataba was one of those rare individuals. Known by the Mohave people as fearless, and described by American settlers as peaceful and fair, Irataba helped shape the future of the Mohave people and the land that would later become the Colorado River Indian Reservation.
Irataba, whose Mohave name was Eecheyara Tav, meaning “bright bird,” was born around 1814 along the Colorado River. Historical accounts describe him as a striking and commanding figure. Standing approximately six feet four inches tall, with a heavy jaw and broad shoulders, he was widely recognized for his intelligence, bravery, and leadership. Despite his powerful physical presence, those who encountered him often described his demeanor as calm and gentle. Historian Arthur Woodward referenced early descriptions of the Mohave leader, writing that Irataba was “a man six feet four inches tall, of very powerful frame, but very gentle and kind in demeanor.”
During the early nineteenth century, Mohave communities thrived along the Colorado River. The river provided fertile floodplains for farming and served as an important route for travel and trade among tribes throughout the region. Irataba rose to prominence during this time and became a war leader of the Kwanami, a group whose name has been interpreted as meaning “fearless.” His leadership earned him a reputation as both a warrior and a respected decision-maker within the community.
Accounts from the period suggest that Irataba’s influence extended beyond his own village. One early description noted that he “seemed to have great influence over neighboring tribes and acted in disputed questions as a kind of supreme judge.” His ability to mediate disputes and maintain relationships among tribes helped establish him as one of the most respected leaders in the Colorado River region.
By the 1850s, the Colorado River began attracting increased attention from American explorers and the United States government as they searched for routes across the Southwest. One of the most notable expeditions during this time was led by Joseph Christmas Ives, who traveled along the river studying its geography and potential as a transportation route.
Historical accounts indicate that Irataba played an important role during these early encounters. Acting as a guide and intermediary, he helped facilitate communication between Mohave communities and American explorers traveling through the region. Newspaper reports from the time also recognized his authority. An article published in the Los Angeles Star in 1861 described Irataba as not only the chief of the Mohave people but someone who possessed more influence in the Colorado River country than any other chief in the district.
In 1864, Chief Irataba traveled to Washington, D.C., where he met with Abraham Lincoln and other federal officials. His visit brought national attention to the Mohave people and the challenges facing tribes along the Colorado River as settlers, miners, and military expeditions entered the region. On March 3, 1865, the Colorado River Indian Reservation was formally established by executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln along the lower Colorado River. The reservation would eventually become home to the Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hopi, and Navajo peoples and remains the homeland of the Colorado River Indian Tribes today.
Chief Irataba continued to be a respected leader among the Mohave people throughout the later years of his life. He died in May of 1874 at his home along the Colorado River. Some historical accounts referred to him as “the Uncas of his tribe,” a comparison meant to recognize him as one of the last great leaders of the Mohave people during that era.
Today, many Mohave families continue to live in and around Parker, Arizona, within the Colorado River Indian Tribes community. The history of Chief Irataba is not only preserved in historical records but also through the families and descendants who remain connected to the land along the Colorado River. Generations of Mohave people have continued to live, work, and raise their families in the same region their ancestors once called home.
More than a historical figure, Chief Irataba’s legacy lives on through the people of the Colorado River Indian Tribes. His leadership during a time of great change helped shape the future of the Mohave people, and his story continues to be remembered as a symbol of strength, diplomacy, and resilience for generations to come.
Article written by CRIT Media Reporter Ariana Romero
Nineteen years ago, Mega Throw began, and despite temperatures reaching over 105 degrees, Mega Throw XIX returned to Ahakhav Tribal Preserve on the Colorado River Indian Tribes reservation. Hosted by Ase S’maav, the Mohave Bird Singers, the two-day gathering welcomed tribes from near and far, with songs and tradition carrying on through the heat.
Mega Throw XIX continues a tradition that began in 2004 with a small group wanting to learn and sing. What started as a grassroots effort has grown into an ongoing commitment to keeping songs, language, and teachings active. Throughout the weekend, the preserve filled with the sound of bird songs and the movement of dancers as participants and spectators came together, carrying that purpose forward through their presence and participation.
Despite the intense heat, participants remained committed, continuing to sing and dance throughout the weekend. The dedication shown reflected the importance of the gathering, as the circle remained strong and songs carried on without pause.
From the youngest participants to experienced singers, the event highlighted the role of youth in learning through participation. Tiny tots and youth dancers stepped into the circle, some shy and others confident, following the rhythm of the gourd and songs as they learned in real time. Families gathered under shaded canopies, watching, encouraging, and sharing in the experience together.
Singing groups stood shoulder to shoulder, their voices blending as they carried songs that have been maintained over generations. Each performance reflected not only skill, but a responsibility to uphold what has been taught and continue it with care and respect.
The event also created space for connection beyond the dance area. Mega throwers gathered for a potluck, shared meals under the gazebo, and spent time visiting with one another throughout the day. Vendors were also set up throughout the area, offering handmade items that showcased their artistry and craftsmanship. Food vendors provided a variety of options, including frybread, tacos, and burgers, along with sweet treats like snow cones, deep-fried Oreos, and funnel cakes—making sure there was something for everyone to enjoy.
As the songs carried into the evening and families remained gathered under the cottonwood trees, the weekend reflected a continued commitment to honoring tradition and ensuring it carries forward for future generations. Mega Throw XIX was a success, and a strong showing of the work and dedication of those who organized and supported the event.
Until we gather again in song and tradition for Mega Throw XX.
Article & Photos by CRIT Media Reporter Ariana Romero
The Colorado River Indian Tribes Building and Safety Department is welcoming new director Alfred Mauer, whose background in inspections, compliance, and facility operations brings both technical expertise and a strong local connection to the role.
Mauer’s career began at just 18 years old working as a gold miner in northern Nevada. That early hands-on experience eventually led him into compliance, inspections, and administrative work. From underground mining operations, he later worked with Praxair at an air separation plant operating under strict federal regulations, including Homeland Security oversight. That experience helped shape his commitment to precision, safety, and doing things the right way.
Over the past five years, he has worked as a licensed building inspector while also operating his own inspection business. Managing everything from office communication and consulting to on-site inspections provided experience not only in technical building standards but also in customer service, project coordination, and helping facilities operate safely and efficiently.
Mauer also has a personal connection to the area. He attended elementary school in Parker before moving to northern Nevada and has now returned to serve the community. He says coming back to work with CRIT brings a strong sense of purpose and connection.
Now stepping into his new role, Mauer’s focus is clear: supporting safe, quality construction while helping tribal departments, businesses, and community members navigate the permitting and inspection process smoothly. The Building and Safety Department plays an important role in protecting the community by ensuring structures are built safely and responsibly, with an emphasis on prevention, communication, and long-term safety.
He emphasizes that the department is there to help guide people through the process, whether it involves new construction, renovations, or facility improvements. Clear communication and accessibility are key priorities as he settles into the position, helping ensure questions are answered early and projects move forward safely.
Having grown up around the community, Mauer says one of the things that stands out most about working at CRIT is the strong sense of family, pride, and connection among tribal members and employees. That sense of community motivates his commitment to safety and responsible development. Having witnessed preventable accidents in his career, he says his goal is always to promote safe structures that protect people first.
