October 27, 2026 1:17 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
October 27, 2026 1:17 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
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As the Colorado River talks keep going, it’s clear that the water situation is getting more serious than just state and federal meetings. Cities are getting ready for less water, local governments are tightening up on who can use the water, and there are more disagreements about groundwater. Plus, businesses are starting to see the financial impact of a river that’s being used too much and is under a lot of stress.
The Lower Basin states of Arizona, California, and Nevada are still pushing for a quick fix to help the Colorado River stay stable until 2028. The Calexico Chronicle reports that this plan would give the system over 3.2 million acre-feet of water each year until 2028. This is a response to the fact that the reservoirs are getting lower, Lake Powell is getting less water than usual, and there’s a growing chance that Lake Powell and Lake Mead will reach dangerous levels.
This plan is based on what the Lower Basin has already done, like agreeing to cut back on water each year and do more conservation. The new plan includes cuts from the Lower Basin, more conservation for the whole system, maybe some improvements to the infrastructure, and working together to manage the reservoirs. The leaders of the Lower Basin say this plan is a way to turn ideas into action and give the seven Basin states more time to figure out how to run the river in the long run after the current rules end.
Even though this plan might give us some breathing room, it doesn’t solve the bigger problem. The river is still giving us less water than we need, and now cities, rural areas, developers, businesses, farmers, and tribal groups are feeling the pressure. This is happening all over Arizona and in the Basin.
In Phoenix, city leaders are getting ready for the possibility of Colorado River cuts by checking out alternative water sources and long-term reserves. Phoenix relies on several water sources, including the Colorado River through the Central Arizona Project. As future reductions become more likely, the city’s planning mirrors a broader trend across the Southwest: big cities are no longer seeing Colorado River shortages as just a distant threat. They’re preparing for a future where less river water might be available, and backup supplies might be needed to keep up with demand.
In Tucson, water worries are already shaping development choices. KGUN 9 reported that the City of Tucson asked developers connected to Project Blue to stop using Tucson’s water supply after finding out water had been moved from the city’s system to the proposed data center site for dust control. Tucson Water took back a construction water meter linked to the project, and city officials mentioned that using Tucson water didn’t align with the mayor and council’s decision to turn down city involvement or support for the proposed development.
The city is also looking for compensation, asking the developers to pass 2 acre-feet of water credits to Tucson Water to replace the amount they used. This situation highlights how closely water use is being monitored as new developments, especially those that use a lot of water, move forward in a drought-affected area. It also brings up a growing question for Arizona communities: when water supplies are uncertain, who gets access, under what conditions, and who is responsible when water is used without public support?
Groundwater is becoming a more important topic. In western Arizona, Mohave County is still working to get more control over groundwater in the Hualapai Basin case. This disagreement is part of a bigger problem across Arizona, where groundwater is often seen as a backup when surface water supplies aren’t as reliable. But groundwater isn’t endless, and rural areas are now asking for stronger tools to manage pumping before shortages get worse.
These local groundwater battles are connected to the bigger Colorado River crisis. As Colorado River deliveries become less predictable, cities and developers might rely more on groundwater. This puts extra pressure on rural basins, local governments, and communities that depend on aquifers for their long-term survival. Now, the question isn’t just about how much water we can take from the Colorado River, but how much pressure will be put on groundwater systems when river supplies run low.
The effects are also being felt upstream. Salt Lake Magazine and Utah News Dispatch reported that federal officials are planning to release up to one-third of the water in Flaming Gorge Reservoir over the next year to help support Lake Powell and keep Glen Canyon Dam generating electricity. Flaming Gorge, located on the Green River in Utah and Wyoming, has already been used in past emergency actions to support the Colorado River system.
This new release plan is causing concerns in communities that depend on Flaming Gorge for recreation, tourism, and local business. Marina operators and local officials are worried that a big drawdown could shorten the summer season, put boat ramps out of commission, and hurt small communities economically. The reservoir might have been built to help support the larger Colorado River system, but the local impacts show that emergency actions in one part of the Basin can cause problems in another.
One of the biggest challenges for Colorado River managers is figuring out how to move water to protect Lake Powell and Lake Mead. While this might help the system in the short term, it could also put more pressure on communities upstream, local businesses, and ecosystems. As the drought continues, we might see more emergency operations, and every decision will have repercussions throughout the Basin. (more…)
Arizona, California and Nevada have put forward a new short-term Colorado River proposal aimed at protecting Lake Mead and Lake Powell while the Basin states continue working toward a longer-term agreement. The proposal comes at a critical time, as the Colorado River system continues to face worsening drought, shrinking runoff and growing pressure from cities, farms and communities that depend on the river. According to KOLD 13 Tucson, the three Lower Basin states submitted a plan to reduce their use of Colorado River water by at least 3.2 million acre-feet through 2028 as the nation’s two largest reservoirs remain under serious stress.
The proposal is being described as a temporary bridge, not a permanent fix. Utah Public Radio reported that the Lower Basin states offered the plan after about two years of disagreement with the Upper Basin states over who should take cuts and how deep those reductions should be. The current Colorado River operating agreements are set to expire in October, and federal officials have warned they may step in if the Basin states do not reach a deal.
For Arizona, the proposal could make future water cuts less severe than what federal officials had previously considered. KJZZ reported that the plan would help Phoenix-area cities avoid the deepest cuts that had been proposed for the Central Arizona Project, the 336-mile canal system that carries Colorado River water to the Phoenix and Tucson areas. Although Arizona would still leave some of its water in the river, the new proposal would move the state away from what Central Arizona Project officials had described as potentially “devastating” reductions.
Arizona would still carry a major share of the reductions. KOLD reported that Arizona would pledge to conserve 760,000 acre-feet of water per year under the Lower Basin proposal. In southern Arizona, Tucson Water said its ability to order future water could be reduced by about 20%. The report also noted that Arizona’s junior water rights status made the federal government’s earlier draft proposal especially concerning for the state. Under this new proposal, water officials said the burden would be spread more broadly across Arizona, California and Nevada.
The Arizona Municipal Water Users Association said the proposal may buy time, but it does not remove the larger problem. AMWUA reported that cities and municipal water providers in Arizona would still have at least 20% less Colorado River water for the next two years. That reduction is significant, but AMWUA said it is smaller than the cuts proposed in the Bureau of Reclamation’s January draft Environmental Impact Statement. In other words, the plan may give cities more time to prepare for deeper reductions, but it does not erase the reality that less Colorado River water will be available. (more…)
Arizona, California, and Nevada have put forward a new proposal to conserve Colorado River water through 2028, offering a short-term plan meant to stabilize Lake Mead and Lake Powell while the seven Basin states continue working toward a long-term agreement. The proposal comes after more than a year of stalled negotiations and as the river system faces worsening drought, low snowpack, and declining reservoir levels. NPR reported that the Colorado River supplies nearly 40 million people across the West, while Lake Mead and Lake Powell remain near dangerously low levels after more than two decades of megadrought.
The plan is being described as a temporary “bridge,” not a permanent solution. Under the proposal, the Lower Basin states would voluntarily reduce the amount of water they take from the river, helping protect water levels in the nation’s two largest reservoirs while negotiations continue. KNAU and KJZZ reported that Arizona, California, and Nevada would leave 700,000 to 1 million acre-feet of water in the Colorado River system, adding to earlier conservation efforts. State leaders say the total savings would add up to more than 3.2 million acre-feet of water through 2028.
For Arizona, the proposal is being viewed as both a warning and a possible lifeline. ABC15 reported that Arizona joined California and Nevada in offering deeper voluntary cuts after more than a year of stalled negotiations. Arizona’s Colorado River negotiator, Tom Buschatzke, said the proposal shows that water users across the Lower Basin are stepping forward with solutions that support the river. The plan is meant to keep water levels high enough at Lake Powell and Lake Mead to continue delivering water and power across the Southwest, but experts warned that the river’s future will still depend heavily on snowpack, precipitation, and long-term reductions in water use.
The urgency behind the proposal is tied directly to conditions at Lake Powell and throughout the Colorado River system. Smart Water Magazine reported that inflows to Lake Powell are forecast at only 29% of the historical average, while total system storage is roughly 36% of capacity. Those numbers show why negotiators are under pressure to take action now. If Lake Powell continues to fall, it could threaten hydropower production at Glen Canyon Dam and make it harder to move water downstream through the system.
The proposal also reflects the growing divide between the Lower Basin and Upper Basin states. Fox 13 Salt Lake City reported that California, Arizona, and Nevada offered the plan as a way to manage water for more than 40 million people in the West, but disagreements remain over who should take cuts and how deep those cuts should be. The Upper Basin states, which include Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico, have argued that the Lower Basin uses too much water from the reservoirs. Lower Basin leaders say they are putting forward measurable water savings and need federal leadership to help move the plan forward.
The Guardian reported that the Lower Basin proposal would save 3.2 million acre-feet of water through voluntary cutbacks through 2028, with an additional 700,000 acre-feet expected through conservation measures and infrastructure improvements. The plan also includes the creation of a conservation pool connected to federal trust obligations to tribes in Arizona. This is an important piece of the proposal because tribal water rights remain central to the future of Colorado River management. Across the Basin, many tribes hold legal rights to Colorado River water, but some of those rights remain unquantified or difficult to fully access.
At the same time, drought impacts are already being felt in tribal communities. Navajo Times reported that the Navajo Nation is being urged to pray for water as the Colorado River Basin enters another dangerous dry stretch. Federal forecasts warn that Navajo Reservoir could face shortages from November 2026 through February 2027, and Lake Powell could drop toward levels that make hydropower production more difficult. The report also noted that federal projections show weak spring runoff, with inflows into Lake Powell at about 22% of average. (more…)
Once designed to stabilize water deliveries to the Lower Basin, the Glen Canyon dam is now becoming a liability due to declining water levels caused by record breaking drought. The reservoir is less than a quarter full, and inflows are projected to be among the lowest ever recorded, driven by unusually early heat and a collapsing snowpack. The dam’s infrastructure was never designed to function at such low elevations, and as water levels drop, the systems that releases water downstream has become unreliable and even dangerous to operate.
This vulnerability could disrupt legally required flows under the 1922 Colorado River Compact, which is an agreement that divides the river’s water between the Upper and Lower Basin states. According to the compact, the Upper Basin States are required by law to provide a fixed amount of water flow annually. This has become an increasingly difficult task to fulfill due to the extreme drought.
The Bureau of Reclamation and other federal entities are attempting short-term emergency measures, such as holding back water in Lake Powell and releasing additional water from upstream reservoirs like Flaming Gorge. However, these actions are described as temporary “triage” that shift risk rather than solve it. This could lower levels in downstream reservoirs like Lake Mead and creating new ecological and economic problems. Long-term solutions, including major engineering retrofits to the dam, are being studied but will require years, congressional approval, and significant funding.
Cities across Arizona, with Phoenix leading the charge, are actively preparing for a future with less Colorado River water. Roughly 40% of Phoenix’s water supply comes from the Colorado River, and officials are anticipating bigger federal cuts around the corner. In response, the city is expanding groundwater access, storing water underground, investing in infrastructure to move water across regions, and developing advanced purification systems that can turn wastewater into drinking water. Programs like the Secure Water Arizona Program (SWAP) aim to create cooperative, market-like exchanges between cities to share water more efficiently. Despite decades of preparation and reduced per-capita water use, officials acknowledge that worsening drought conditions, stalled interstate negotiations, and federal policy decisions are pushing the system toward more restrictive measures, including potential Stage 2 drought warnings with conservation requirements and rising costs for consumers. (more…)
Drought and water uncertainty continue to build across the Colorado River Basin as Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and the broader Southwest face growing pressure over how water is managed, stored, protected, and shared. Recent reports show the crisis is not limited to one city, one river, or one reservoir. It is being felt through court decisions over groundwater, city water planning, farming operations, statewide drought warnings, and the ongoing lack of agreement over the future of Colorado River management.
In Arizona, the question of groundwater oversight remains a major concern. KJZZ reported that the Arizona Court of Appeals will not force the state to review whether greater water-use oversight is needed near the upper San Pedro River. The case centered on whether the Arizona Department of Water Resources should be required to review the area for possible designation as an Active Management Area, which could lead to new limits on groundwater pumping. The court acknowledged that the San Pedro River is unique as one of the last undammed, free-flowing rivers in the desert Southwest, but ruled that state law does not clearly define how often the department must conduct such reviews. Because of that, the court said the decision remains within the department’s discretion.
That ruling reflects a larger issue across Arizona: when surface water becomes less reliable, groundwater often becomes the backup. But groundwater is not unlimited. As Colorado River supplies become more uncertain, decisions about groundwater management will become even more important for cities, rural communities, agriculture, development, and river ecosystems.
Phoenix is already preparing for a future with less certainty. KTAR reported that the City of Phoenix says it is not running out of water, but it may need to use backup water supplies to meet demand over the next 10 years. The report said Phoenix recently reviewed its water supply and demand while also evaluating how potential Colorado River cuts could affect the city’s water management.
Phoenix’s planning shows how major cities are trying to prepare before conditions become more severe. For large urban areas, backup supplies, conservation, water storage, and long-term planning are becoming part of regular water management. Still, the need to plan for backup supplies shows how serious the Colorado River situation has become. The river has long supported cities, farms, tribes, and ecosystems across the West, but continued drought and unresolved negotiations are making the future less predictable.
That uncertainty is also tied to the lack of a long-term Colorado River agreement. KPNX 12News reported that drought concerns are growing as the fight over Colorado River water continues without a deal. The report included discussion of the economic impact of the water fight, showing that the issue reaches beyond conservation and into the future of business, growth, agriculture, and community stability.
In Colorado, CBS News Colorado reported that drought is forcing farmers to adapt as water becomes more scarce. Farmers are moving away from traditional flood irrigation and toward sprinkler systems that use water more precisely. Some producers may also need to plant fewer acres, switch crops, or find new ways to stretch limited water supplies. Agriculture remains one of the most important water uses in the Colorado River Basin, and changes in farming practices in headwater states can affect the entire system downstream.
Utah is also facing worsening drought conditions. KUER reported that Gov. Spencer Cox said an emergency drought declaration is “coming fairly soon.” The report said Utah’s water outlook does not look good, and Cox stated that the drought is forcing difficult water issues to come to a head. Utah is part of the Upper Basin, where snowpack and runoff play an important role in feeding the Colorado River system. When drought deepens in Upper Basin states, the impacts do not stay there. They move downstream through reduced flows, stressed reservoirs, and more difficult negotiations between states.
The Sierra Club placed these concerns into a larger Colorado River warning, reporting that water levels in the river are approaching dangerous lows that could affect millions of people. The article focused on whether the Colorado River can survive 2026 as drought, low flows, and continued demand place the system under extreme stress.
Together, these reports show a river system under pressure from many directions at once. Arizona is facing legal and policy questions over groundwater. Phoenix is preparing to rely on backup supplies. Colorado farmers are changing how they use water. Utah is preparing for emergency drought action. Basin states still do not have a long-term agreement for how to share the river in the future. At the same time, the Colorado River itself continues to show the physical signs of stress through low flows, drought, and declining reliability.
What does this mean for CRIT?
For the Colorado River Indian Tribes, these developments reinforce why CRIT’s senior Colorado River rights and stewardship responsibilities remain so important. As states, cities, farmers, and federal agencies prepare for a future with less water, CRIT must continue to have a strong seat at the table in decisions that affect the river. The Tribe’s Water Code, the Personhood Resolution for the Colorado River, and the Water Resiliency Act all support CRIT’s efforts to protect the river, strengthen sovereignty, and assert its role as one of the river’s oldest stewards. As drought conditions grow more serious and negotiations continue, CRIT’s voice is essential.
Sources
KTAR News
https://play.cdnstream1.com/s/bonneville/ktar-news-water-watch/city-of-phoenix-to-tap-b-cbc7d3
NBC 12News Phoenix
https://www.12news.com/video/news/local/water-wars/drought-concerns-growing-without-deal-about-colorado-river-water/75-78394a7b-d39b-45b8-9b6f-ac82cb5861be
CBS News Colorado
https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/farmers-colorado-drought-adapt-water-scarce/
KUER Utah Public Radio
https://www.kuer.org/politics-government/2026-04-30/a-utah-emergency-drought-declaration-is-coming-fairly-soon-says-gov-cox
Sierra Club
https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/can-colorado-river-survive-2026?
According to KJZZ, federal water managers are considering a short-term fix to protect Lake Powell while Colorado River negotiations continue. The Bureau of Reclamation is looking at releases from Flaming Gorge Reservoir in Utah and Wyoming to help keep Lake Powell from dropping too low. If Lake Powell falls much further, Glen Canyon Dam could struggle to generate hydropower and eventually face problems moving water downstream. This matters to CRIT because Lake Powell and Lake Mead operations are tied directly to Lower Basin water planning, future shortage decisions and the ongoing post-2026 Colorado River negotiations.
According to the Colorado Sun, Lake Powell’s outlook has grown more serious after one of the driest snow years on record. The Bureau of Reclamation reported Lake Powell’s lower probable inflow is forecast at 2.78 million acre-feet, about 29% of the historical average and one of the lowest on record. Federal officials are weighing reduced releases from Lake Powell to Lake Mead, along with releases from Flaming Gorge, to protect Glen Canyon Dam. This matters to CRIT because emergency reservoir decisions upstream can affect Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Lower Basin water supplies and the larger negotiations over how the river will be managed after 2026.
Source: https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/20/feds-water-releases-lake-powell-colorado-river-drought/
According to Courthouse News Service, Arizona’s record-breaking March heat has worsened the state’s drought outlook. Experts said Arizona experienced temperatures in March that were more typical of late spring or early summer, undoing some of the progress from a wetter fall. The heat, combined with dry soil and low snowpack, adds pressure to already strained water supplies. This matters to CRIT because hotter and drier conditions across Arizona directly affect Colorado River planning, drought response and the long-term value of senior Tribal water rights.
Source: https://www.courthousenews.com/record-breaking-march-heat-worsens-arizona-drought-outlook/
According to KJZZ, Arizona Republican lawmakers met with members of the Trump administration to discuss the Colorado River crisis. The meeting focused on low water levels at Lake Mead and Lake Powell, short-term conservation ideas and longer-term infrastructure needs. These political discussions show that Colorado River negotiations are moving beyond state-level talks and into direct conversations with federal officials. This matters to CRIT because any federal approach to the river must include Tribal water rights, Lower Basin impacts and the future of communities that depend on the Colorado River.
According to KSL News, Kearny, Arizona is facing severe water restrictions as the town works to avoid running out of water this summer. The town’s mayor warned residents that Kearny could run out of water around July 15, 2026, if conditions do not improve. The crisis is tied to drought, reduced supply and pressure on the Gila River system. This matters to CRIT because Kearny’s situation shows how quickly water shortages can become a public emergency for Arizona communities.
According to AZ Big Media, Arizona communities are looking at advanced water purification as traditional drinking water sources shrink. The article explains that drought has reduced Colorado River supplies and affected other Arizona basins, even as the state uses less water today than it did decades ago. Advanced water purification would allow treated wastewater to be cleaned further and reused as drinking water. This matters to CRIT because cities are searching for new water sources while the Colorado River remains under pressure from drought, growth and long-term overuse.
According to Smart Water Magazine, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California approved $150 million for continued planning of the Pure Water Southern California recycling project. The project would purify and reuse treated wastewater that currently flows to the ocean, eventually producing up to 150 million gallons of purified water per day. Metropolitan says the project could serve about 1.5 million people when fully developed. This matters to CRIT because Southern California’s push for local recycled water shows how major cities are trying to reduce reliance on imported supplies, including water connected to the Colorado River.
According to GV Wire, California’s groundwater reporting portal experienced problems as a major deadline approached for farmers in parts of Kings and Tulare counties. The issue comes as groundwater users in the Tule Subbasin face a May 1, 2026 deadline to submit their first groundwater extraction reports. The reporting requirement is part of California’s effort to manage groundwater overdraft under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. This matters to CRIT because groundwater regulation is becoming a bigger issue across the West as surface water supplies become less reliable.
According to the Los Banos Enterprise, $540 million in federal funding has been announced for California water projects, including the Delta-Mendota Canal. The Department of the Interior announced $889 million for western water infrastructure, with $540 million going to California projects that support water conveyance, storage and modernization. These projects serve farms, communities and businesses throughout the Central Valley. This matters to CRIT because federal water infrastructure spending shows how western states are investing in delivery systems as drought and aging infrastructure put more pressure on limited water supplies.
Parker, Ariz.) The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) welcomes the news that The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has rejected the Arizona Legislature’s challenge to Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. The monument, established by a 2023 presidential proclamation, protects approximately 917,000 acres of federal land surrounding the Grand Canyon.
CRIT is part of the Grand Canyon Tribal Leaders’ Coalition and the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Tribal Commission.
CRIT Chairwoman Amelia Flores said, “The Colorado River is indistinguishably connected to the lands of the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument. This monument protects the health of the Colorado River, the surrounding lands, and the irreplaceable cultural resources. This ruling designation honors the tribal connections to the surrounding lands and the value of tribal stewardship in protecting the waters that flow through the Grand Canyon down to our reservation.”
Leadership from the Colorado River Indian Tribal Council served a major role in the official designation of the Monument an attended its dedication ceremony in August 2023.
On April 1st, 2026, Senator Ruben Gallego visited the Colorado River Indian Reservation. Upon the visit, he came to the Tribal Council Chambers and met with Chairwoman Amelia Flores, Vice Chairman Dwight Lomayesva, Council Secretary Josephine Tahbo, Councilwoman Vanessa Welch, Councilman Billy Beeson, Councilman Tommy Drennan, Councilwoman Raeanne Patch, and Councilwoman Tracey Quillen. Chairwoman Amelia Flores and Councilman Drennan thanked him for coming to CRIT, and spoke on the pro-rata decisions that are being considered for the Colorado River in its recent publication of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). They expressed a deep concern for the decisions stating that pro-rata is in many ways unlawful, and goes directly against their seniority water rights.
Furthermore, Senator Gallego took a small tour with Chairwoman Flores, members of Council, and lead water attorney John Bezdek with Joshua Moore as their tour guide on the reservation. The last stop was at the Colorado River Sewage System Joint Venture where they met with Town of Parker Mayor Randy Hartless, Vice Mayor Zafer Genc, Town Manager Nora Yackley, Council member Joshua Grenwalt, and Operations Manager Ashley Longanecker. The tour of the facility was led by Longanecker who emphasized the importance of fixing the sewage system for Parker and the Reservation, which was clearly displayed in its decaying state in need of desperate repairs. (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
