Basin Brief May 5, 2026
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 […]
Basin Brief May 7. 2026
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 […]
Basin Brief May 1, 2026
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 […]
Basin Brief April 20, 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 […]
Basin Brief April 9, 2026
According to West Valley View (Cronkite News), a proposed federal plan to divide Colorado River water is facing strong pushback from Arizona leaders and water officials. Critics argue the plan could unfairly shift more water cuts onto Lower Basin states, including Arizona, while not requiring equal reductions from Upper Basin states. The disagreement highlights ongoing […]
Basin Brief April 7, 2026
According to CBS 5 Arizona’s Family, growing interest in building data centers in Yuma is raising concerns about water use and extreme heat. Data centers require large amounts of energy and, in many cases, water for cooling, which has led to questions about whether the region can support that kind of growth during ongoing drought […]
Basin Brief April 6. 2026
According to the Colorado Sun, advocates working to protect the Colorado River are exploring multiple strategies, including the concept of granting the river legal “personhood.” This approach would give the river legal rights, similar to a person, allowing it to be represented in court and better protected from overuse. Supporters believe this could strengthen environmental […]
Basin Brief April 7, 2026
According to KJZZ, Colorado River stakeholders have submitted thousands of public comments on the federal government’s proposed post-2026 water management plan. The feedback reflects widespread concern and competing priorities from states, water agencies, and Tribal Nations about how future shortages should be handled. The volume of responses shows how high the stakes are as federal […]
Basib Brief March 23, 2026
According to the Arizona Capitol Times, city officials across Arizona are warning that a proposed tax freeze could put future water infrastructure projects at risk. Local leaders say limiting revenue could reduce their ability to fund essential projects like water treatment, storage, and delivery systems. As Arizona faces increasing pressure from Colorado River shortages, investment […]
The Basin Brief March 20th, 2026
According to AZPM PBS, potential Colorado River cuts could significantly impact Tucson’s water supply, even though the city has built a more diversified system that includes groundwater and stored Colorado River water. Officials say Tucson is better prepared than some areas, but continued reductions would still require careful management and conservation efforts. The report highlights […]