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.
The new rules give the Lower Basin a short-term path for 2027 and 2028. They do not settle the river’s long-term future.
What does this mean for CRIT?
For CRIT, this week’s reporting is especially important because it connects federal river operations with senior water rights, Tribal sovereignty, and long-term planning.
The Navajo Times reporting shows how legal fights can affect Tribal water settlements and infrastructure. For Tribal Nations, water rights are not only about legal recognition. They also depend on congressional action, delivery systems, funding, and federal decisions.
The city and groundwater stories also matter to CRIT because they show how water security depends on more than allocation numbers. It also depends on wells, storage, treatment, conservation, local rules, and the ability to use water when it is needed.
Sources
CAP Know Your Water News
https://knowyourwaternews.com/record-of-decision-and-operating-guidelines-underscore-need-for-3-state-deal/
Navajo Times
https://navajotimes.com/reznews/nevada-lawsuit-threatens-navajo-water-settlement-push/
High Country News
https://www.hcn.org/articles/what-the-new-rules-for-a-shrinking-colorado-river-mean-for-tribal-nations/
KTAR News / AMWUA
https://ktar.com/amwua-az-municipal-water-users-assoc/arizonas-new-water-reality-preparing-for-historic-colorado-river-cuts
KOLD 13 News Tucson
https://www.kold.com/2026/08/27/colorado-river-cuts-could-drive-up-your-water-bill/
KGUN ABC 9 News Tucson
https://www.kgun9.com/news/community-inspired-journalism/midtown-news/arizona-water-summit-tackles-states-future-as-colorado-river-cuts-loom-large
CBS 5 Arizona’s Family
https://www.azfamily.com/2026/08/27/water-scarcity-grips-arizona-san-luis-prepares-major-wastewater-plant-upgrade/