September 3, 2026 10:10 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
September 3, 2026 10:10 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
July 13 reporting showed drought pressure moving from long-term forecasts into visible impacts across Arizona and the Upper Basin.
In southern Arizona, the San Pedro River recorded zero flow at a key monitoring point near Sierra Vista. The Arizona Republic reported that the river ran dry there for only the second time in 122 years of records. The San Pedro is one of Arizona’s last free-flowing rivers, and dry conditions along the river show how drought, groundwater pumping, and heat can affect local ecosystems.
Scottsdale continued reviewing its long-term water planning. KJZZ reported that city officials are preparing for possible Colorado River cuts, including a possible large water-use ordinance. KJZZ reported that Scottsdale relies on Colorado River water for about 70% of its supply, with some parts of the city depending on it even more. The city has also purchased water credits from Harquahala Valley and uses advanced water treatment and recharge as part of its water planning.
Arizona also extended groundwater-related support in Pinal County. AZ Free News reported that state lawmakers extended Pinal groundwater fee relief and irrigation project funding through 2030. The funding is tied to agricultural water planning in a region that has already faced reductions to Colorado River supplies.
Water demand from data centers remained part of the state’s water debate. The Cool Down reported that Arizona paused data center tax breaks for three years after public concern over water and power use. The issue shows how large technology projects are becoming part of water planning as the state considers future growth.
In the Upper Basin, Colorado water groups are working to keep more water in rivers during extreme drought. Steamboat Pilot & Today reported on efforts by the Colorado Water Trust to support river flows, including work connected to the Yampa River and reservoir releases.
The Salt Lake Tribune also reported on a new study measuring how much water Flaming Gorge Reservoir loses to evaporation. That information could help water managers better understand reservoir losses as Lake Powell and other parts of the system remain under pressure. (more…)
Reports show how water concerns are reaching different parts of the West, from city conservation programs in Arizona to tribal water settlements, drought impacts, and ongoing Colorado River negotiations.
In Arizona, cities are encouraging residents to use less water. SignalsAZ reported that Surprise is offering rebates for eligible water-saving improvements. 12News reported that Scottsdale residents can also receive rebates for conservation upgrades. These programs reflect how cities are trying to reduce demand as Colorado River supplies become less reliable.
Tribal water rights remained a major issue. Navajo Times reported that the Diné water settlement has stalled after objections from Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. The settlement involves the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe and is tied to water infrastructure and access in northeastern Arizona. The four Upper Basin states raised concerns about how the water could be used or leased in the future.
Drought impacts continued in Arizona. Congressman Eli Crane’s office reported that the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued drought disaster designations for several Arizona counties. Gila Valley Central reported that Graham and Greenlee counties were declared primary disaster areas because of drought. These designations can make assistance available to eligible farmers and producers.
The University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center released a toolkit for domestic well owners. The guide covers well maintenance, water quality, testing, and drought planning. It is especially relevant for rural residents who rely on private wells.
Water demand from data centers also remained part of the discussion. KTAR reported on concerns over whether data centers are draining Arizona’s water. As technology projects expand, their energy use, cooling needs, and long-term water demand are drawing more attention.
Across the West, drought pressure continued. KSL reported that experts are watching specific regions and industries facing severe drought impacts. Cowboy State Daily reported that an irrigation district in eastern Wyoming warned water could run out by early August.
Colorado River negotiations also remained unsettled. KNPR reported on where Southern Nevada stands as the current river management agreement nears expiration. KLAS reported that Colorado’s water commissioner said drought conversations remain difficult. KUTV reported that Upper and Lower Basin states failed to reach an agreement on Lake Powell.
Weather added more uncertainty. Several outlets reported rising odds of a strong El Niño. While El Niño can bring wetter conditions to some areas, it does not guarantee drought relief for the Colorado River system. Snowpack, runoff, and soil conditions will still determine how much water reaches reservoirs.
The reports show water planning happening on several fronts. Cities are offering rebates, rural residents are receiving well guidance, Arizona counties are facing drought designations, tribes are waiting on settlement progress, and Basin states are still negotiating future river rules. (more…)
Arizona cities are pressing for clearer answers on water they stored underground as the state prepares for possible Colorado River cuts.
KJZZ reported that Phoenix-area cities and the Arizona Water Banking Authority are in disagreement over how stored Colorado River water should be distributed during shortages. Since the late 1990s, excess Colorado River water has been stored underground as a backup supply. With new river rules expected and cuts likely for Central Arizona Project users, cities want to know how much water they will be allowed to recover, when it would be available, and what requirements may come with it.
The question is not just how much water exists underground. It is also how the Water Bank decides who gets access and how much should be saved for future shortages. KJZZ reported that Water Bank officials are considering policies that could limit distribution or require cities to show conservation efforts before receiving stored water.
Scottsdale is also adding to its stored-water portfolio. KJZZ reported that the city approved an $8.25 million purchase of water credits from Harquahala Valley through the Central Arizona Project. The credits represent water stored underground for future use. According to KJZZ, the purchase amounts to about 15,000 acre-feet of water and brings Scottsdale’s long-term water credits to just under 300,000 acre-feet.
The purchase shows how cities are looking beyond current deliveries and preparing for uncertainty. Stored credits can help provide backup during shortages, but they still depend on access, recovery, and long-term management.
Drought conditions are also affecting Arizona counties. Congressman Eli Crane’s office reported that the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued drought disaster designations for several Arizona counties. Gila, Pinal, and Yuma counties were elevated to primary disaster status in a later designation, while other counties were listed as contiguous. The designations can help make agricultural assistance available to eligible producers affected by drought.
Groundwater recharge remains part of the broader water planning conversation. Agri-Pulse reported that California lawmakers are again trying to address permitting delays for groundwater recharge projects. The bill discussed in the report would give farmers and water agencies more flexibility to capture high flows and move water underground when wet conditions allow. Supporters say current permitting can be too slow for short windows of available water.
The issue connects to Arizona’s own recharge discussions. Across the West, water managers are looking at ways to store more water underground during wet periods so communities and farms have more flexibility during dry years.
The legal side of western water also continues to grow. The Colorado Sun reported that the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear Nebraska’s lawsuit against Colorado over the proposed Perkins Canal. Nebraska says the canal is needed to bring South Platte River water into Nebraska under a 1923 compact. Colorado officials say the state is complying with the compact and will defend its water rights. (more…)
Arizona’s water coverage centered on a practical question: if the Colorado River keeps shrinking, how much backup water is actually available, and who can use it?
KJZZ reported that Phoenix-area cities are asking for clearer answers about Colorado River water stored underground by the Arizona Water Banking Authority. The Water Bank was created in 1996 to store excess Colorado River water underground for use during a shortage. Cities that rely on the Central Arizona Project say they need to know how much of that stored water they can access, when it would be available, and how it would be recovered.
The issue is becoming more urgent as federal officials consider new Colorado River operating rules. Arizona Farm Bureau News reported that Arizona water officials are pushing for the Lower Basin proposal as an alternative to deeper federal cuts. The proposal includes mandatory reductions across Arizona, California, and Nevada, along with additional voluntary savings through 2028.
The Arizona Farm Bureau also reported that the Central Arizona Project is now projecting a 14% shortage in its municipal water pool instead of 20%, partly by using water from Lake Pleasant and wells in Yuma. Even with that smaller projected shortage, cities and farms are still preparing for less water.
Agriculture remains a major part of the discussion. Arizona farmers are watching possible cuts closely because reductions to Colorado River water can affect planting decisions, crop choices, and operating costs. Those changes can also move beyond farms, reaching workers, local economies, and food supply chains.
Arizona is also looking at how to keep more water in the state. KJZZ reported that more than 95% of precipitation that falls in Arizona is lost to evapotranspiration. The reporting was based on the Arizona Tri-University Recharge and Water Reliability Project, which is studying ways to capture more rain, snowmelt, and runoff before it is lost to evaporation or plant use. The project is also looking at how more water can be moved into aquifers through recharge.
That research connects directly to questions about groundwater. As Colorado River supplies become less reliable, cities and rural areas are paying closer attention to underground storage, recharge, and long-term access to stored water.
The Desert Review reported that the Central Arizona Irrigation and Drainage District secured up to 10,000 acre-feet per year of new water supply from the Mojave Groundwater Bank in California. The agreement is another example of Arizona water users looking outside traditional supplies as Colorado River shortages continue.
Lake Powell also remained under pressure. The Guardian reported that the reservoir could fall to unprecedented lows after poor snowpack and limited spring runoff. KUTV and Newsweek reported on a proposal from scientists to move more water from Lake Powell to Lake Mead, arguing that storing more water in Lake Mead could reduce losses and protect downstream supplies. The idea is part of a larger debate over how the two major reservoirs should be managed as both remain low. (more…)
Lake Powell remained one of the biggest concerns. The Colorado Sun reported that low water levels are creating new pressure at Glen Canyon Dam, where federal officials are working to protect dam infrastructure as the reservoir drops. The report focused on cavitation, a problem caused when fast-moving water creates vapor bubbles that can damage dam equipment and concrete surfaces.
The issue shows how falling reservoir levels affect more than water storage. Lake Powell also supports hydropower generation, downstream releases, and dam operations. When the reservoir drops too low, federal managers have fewer options to move water through the system safely and efficiently.
Arizona water users are also watching federal planning closely. The Arizona Daily Star reported that a Colorado River water savings plan could reduce the effect of future cuts on Arizona users. The plan is part of ongoing Lower Basin negotiations as Arizona, California, and Nevada look for ways to conserve water and avoid deeper mandatory reductions.
Those negotiations remain unsettled. Fox 13 Salt Lake City reported that Colorado River governors said they are not at a stalemate, even as the deadline for new river rules gets closer. The current operating guidelines are set to expire after 2026, and the seven Basin states still need agreement on how future shortages will be shared.
For Arizona, Central Arizona Project water remains a major concern. The CAP canal moves Colorado River water to central and southern Arizona, including cities, farms, and tribal users. If future cuts fall heavily on CAP water, impacts would vary depending on each user’s legal priority, water portfolio, and access to stored supplies.
AMWUA reported on the importance of municipal access to stored water credits. Cities have stored water underground for years to prepare for shortages, but access to those credits becomes more important as Colorado River supplies become less reliable. Stored credits can help cities manage short-term gaps, but they are not a permanent replacement for long-term river reductions.
The idea of moving new water into Arizona also received attention. Some proposals have looked at whether abandoned energy pipelines could be used to bring water west. These ideas reflect the search for new supplies, but large importation projects often involve high costs, legal questions, energy demands, and environmental review. (more…)
Recent developments across the Colorado River Basin show how changes in water supply are beginning to affect recreation, agriculture, and future water planning. While the seven Basin states remain divided over how to manage the river, communities are already dealing with the effects of lower flows and looking at new ways to protect their water.
Colorado River negotiators recently made a rare public appearance together, but there was little indication that the states are closer to an agreement. Representatives from the Upper and Lower basins continue to disagree over how future water reductions should be shared and whether the next plan should offer long-term certainty or act as a temporary bridge.
Nevada negotiator John Entsminger said the latest Lower Basin proposal could provide a workable plan for the next few years and help keep the states out of court while discussions continue. Colorado negotiator Becky Mitchell questioned whether returning to negotiations every two years would build stability or simply create another series of temporary fixes.
The negotiators also discussed mediation as a possible next step. One idea would involve choosing three mediators: one selected by the Upper Basin, another by the Lower Basin, and a third selected by the first two. The ongoing disagreement is also making it difficult for Mexico, which receives Colorado River water under international agreements, to prepare for future shortages.
While those larger negotiations continue, uncertainty is reaching businesses that depend directly on the river. KNAU reported that Grand Canyon rafting companies are watching lower water levels near Lees Ferry following a historically dry winter and reduced releases from Lake Powell.
Rafting trips are still operating, and visitors may not notice a major difference today. However, business owners and river guides are concerned about what lower and less predictable flows could mean in the future. One company reported that bookings were down about 25% this year, although it was unclear whether water conditions were the main reason.
The concern shows how Colorado River operations support more than drinking water, agriculture, and hydropower. Releases from Glen Canyon Dam also affect rafting companies, guides, tourism, and communities connected to Grand Canyon recreation.
Arizona is also looking at less traditional ways to increase its water supply. Voice of San Diego reported that a private utility proposed using Arizona funding to help treat wastewater from the Tijuana River. The water would be treated and returned to Mexico, while Arizona could seek part of Mexico’s Colorado River allocation in exchange.
The proposal could initially produce more than 14,000 acre-feet of water each year, with the possibility of increasing that amount through future development. However, the project is still being studied and would involve complicated questions involving water quality, cost, environmental review, and agreements between the United States and Mexico.
Colorado, meanwhile, has taken action to reduce the damage left behind when agricultural water is sold and transferred to cities. A new state law will require farmland in the Arkansas River Basin to be revegetated before irrigation water can be moved to another use. (more…)
Written by CRIT Media Reporter Ariana Romero
“This river is everything to so many people. And yet so many of us treat it as if it’s nothing.”
Those words from ultradistance runner and water advocate Mina Guli carry added weight as the Colorado River faces more than two decades of drought, declining reservoir levels, and growing uncertainty over how the river will be managed in the years ahead.
For the Colorado River Indian Tribes, the future of the river is not a distant issue. CRIT lives along its banks, holds senior Colorado River water rights, and continues to play an active role in conversations surrounding conservation, management, and the river’s future.
Those conditions gave added significance to Guli’s 2,000-mile “Keep the River Running” journey as it reached the Colorado River Indian Reservation.
Guli is running approximately 2,000 miles in 100 days along the Colorado River as part of her “Keep the River Running” campaign. Her journey follows the river through communities that depend on it, with a focus on raising awareness, listening to local voices, and encouraging cooperation around the river’s future.
Her CRIT visit began on the California side of the Reservation, where Councilman Tommy Drennan, Councilwoman Raeanne Patch, and Councilwoman Tracey Quillen greeted and welcomed her before the run.
From there, members of the Mohave Runners, Adrian Pulido, Nolan Taliman, Irving Sharp, Elan Drennan-Webb, Joseph “Joe” Deleon, Aniah “AB” Booth, Mickey Anderson Jr., Joshua Mike, Oslette Johnson, and Chance Fisher joined Guli and ran alongside her through scorching desert heat. Together, they crossed the Colorado River from the California side into Arizona and continued through the community to the Tribal Council Chambers on Mohave Road.
The Mohave Runners brought a strong local presence to the event. Their participation reflected more than physical endurance. They were running beside a river that has sustained their community for generations, showing strength and determination while taking part in a larger effort focused on the future of the Colorado.
Guli said running alongside local people gave her a deeper understanding of the communities tied to the river.
“These are people who have spent their lives here and have so much to share and so much knowledge,” she said.
After the run, Guli, Tribal Council, and community members gathered inside the Tribal Council Chambers. Vice Chairman Dwight Lomayesva, Secretary Josephine Tahbo, Treasurer Anisa Patch, Councilwomen Tracey Quillen, Vanessa Welch, and Raeanne Patch, and Councilman Tommy Drennan were among those in attendance.
The Tribal Council welcomed Guli, presented her with a gift, and thanked her for bringing attention to the Colorado River and the people whose lives are connected to it.
During the gathering and her interview with CRIT Media, one message continued to surface: the importance of working together.
Guli spoke about the many challenges facing the river, including fragmentation among governments, communities, industries, and organizations. She said long-term solutions will require people to look beyond individual interests and focus on a shared future.
“Together doesn’t mean that the river is yours or mine,” Guli said. “It means that it’s ours.”
She also described what she called the “power of together,” saying the future of the river will depend on people being willing to listen to one another, include different perspectives, and work across boundaries.
For Guli, that includes Tribal communities whose relationship with the river goes back generations.
She said being at CRIT gave her the opportunity to listen directly to people who have lived with and understood the Colorado River “since time immemorial.” She also pointed to CRIT’s work involving legal personhood as an example of thinking about the river as more than simply a resource.
“The way to hear them is to be here,” she said. (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.”
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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.
TUCSON, Ariz. — The University of Arizona will host a special series of sign unveiling ceremonies on Friday, September 4, 2026, honoring the four languages of the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT): Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hopi, & Navajo. These ceremonies represent an important milestone in an ongoing campus-wide initiative to elevate the visibility, recognition, and continued presence of Indigenous languages and cultural heritage within the campus community.
The events are organized by the University of Arizona’s Office of Native American Advancement & Tribal Engagement (NAATE) in collaboration with individual academic colleges. Students, faculty, staff, tribal community members, and the general public are invited to attend the progression of ceremonies throughout the day.
The schedule for the Friday ceremonies includes:
The celebration of Indigenous culture continues into the weekend with the Native American Heritage Game on Saturday, September 5, 2026. The Arizona Wildcats will face Northern Arizona at Casino Del Sol Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 6:30 PM MST. Pre-game festivities at Bear Down Field will begin at 3:15 PM with the Bear Down Bash, featuring 18-minute cultural performances from each tribe. A traditional gift presentation will follow during the Wildcat Walk at 4:15 PM, leading up to an on-field tribal recognition ceremony during the second quarter of the football game.
For more operational schedules or to register for the unveiling events, please visit the official University of Arizona Event Page.
