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Colorado River Faces Critical Flow Threshold, Threatening Litigation and Water Supply for Seven States

Colorado River Faces Critical Flow Threshold, Threatening Litigation and Water Supply for Seven States

The Colorado River is approaching a critical threshold at Lee’s Ferry, where its flow may fall below mandated levels by October. This situation could trigger extensive and costly litigation at the Supreme Court, impacting the seven states within the Colorado River Basin. The 1922 Colorado River Compact requires the river's flow to remain above a specific level at Lee’s Ferry to ensure adequate water supply for downstream states. State Senator Dylan Roberts has expressed concern over Colorado's reliance on legal defense rather than pursuing a collaborative compromise to avert potential courtroom battles. The Fort Mojave Indian Tribe, whose reservation spans Arizona, California, and Nevada, relies heavily on the river for economic and cultural sustenance. Chairman Timothy Williams highlights that the tribe's 133,000 acre-feet of water per year, primarily used for agriculture, supports essential services like healthcare, housing, and education. However, dropping water levels, as experienced last winter when t...
Arizona RepublicArizona Republic
Desert growth needs desert rules | Letters

Desert growth needs desert rules | Letters

Desert states must accept arid reality, cut wasteful water use and protect the Colorado River as climate change makes drought the new normal.
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Arizona House Republicans Demand Equal Colorado River Briefings as Governor Hobbs

Arizona House Republicans Demand Equal Colorado River Briefings as Governor Hobbs

Three Arizona House Republicans, Representatives Gail Griffin, Neal Carter, and Chris Lopez, have formally requested weekly, in-person briefings from Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) Director Thomas Buschatzke regarding Colorado River negotiations. Their demand is to receive the same level of information and access provided to Governor Katie Hobbs. This request follows a recent agreement with the federal government and other Lower Basin states on Colorado River water usage, which will result in Arizona losing approximately 61% of the total reductions, the largest share among the Lower Basin states. The lawmakers cited their legislative authority under A.R.S. § 45-106, which mandates legislative approval for water agreements impacting Arizona's sovereign rights. They emphasized their entitlement to unfiltered information to fulfill their legislative role, especially given that a special legislative session is anticipated for lawmakers to vote on a water-sharing agreement.
Arizona RepublicArizona Republic
Why Arizona is one of the best states in America for butterflies

Why Arizona is one of the best states in America for butterflies

Arizona's most colorful insects are butterflies. The ultimate guide, from when they're most active and why they seem to always follow you around.
Arizona RepublicArizona Republic
Can fish survive West's megadrought? They'll need help from humans

Can fish survive West's megadrought? They'll need help from humans

Gila trout, a species threatened by climate change and worsening wildfires, persist in the Southwest with a big assist from volunteers.
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Republicans Introduce 'Flock-Off Act' to Defund Federal Surveillance Camera Networks

Republicans Introduce 'Flock-Off Act' to Defund Federal Surveillance Camera Networks

Two Republican members of Congress, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO), have introduced the 'Flock-Off Act' (H.R. 10221). This legislation aims to prevent federal taxpayer dollars from funding extensive surveillance camera networks, such as those operated by Flock Safety, which track vehicles, movements, and biometric information of Americans. The bill specifically targets federal funding used by state and local law enforcement agencies for purchasing, maintaining, or operating automated license-plate readers and other systems that create large databases of citizens' movements. The proposed act would prohibit federal money from supporting cameras capable of identifying vehicle characteristics and biometric surveillance systems, including facial recognition, voiceprints, iris/retinal scans, fingerprints, and gait recognition. It also extends to cloud services storing data from these systems and data-sharing agreements involving such technology. Five additional lawmakers, including Rep. ...
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U.S. Reservoirs Face Significant Sediment Accumulation Due to Wildfires and Extreme Rain, Threatening Water Storage Capacity

U.S. Reservoirs Face Significant Sediment Accumulation Due to Wildfires and Extreme Rain, Threatening Water Storage Capacity

U.S. reservoirs are experiencing a substantial loss of water storage capacity due to the accumulation of sediment, a problem exacerbated by climate change. Wildfires destroy vegetation that holds soil in place, and subsequent extreme rainfall washes torrents of sand, silt, and mud into these vital water bodies. For instance, Strontia Springs Reservoir in Colorado has lost nearly one-fifth of its capacity to sediment. This issue is widespread, with almost half of U.S. reservoirs being more than one-quarter full of sediment. The average U.S. dam is approximately 64 years old, and the sediment buildup, which engineers anticipated, is now reaching critical levels. The problem is particularly acute in the American West, where drought conditions are intensifying, leading to record low water levels in major reservoirs like those on the Colorado River. This reduction in storage capacity occurs precisely when water officials need to stockpile water to mitigate longer dry spells, creating a significant challenge for...
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California’s 2020 Wildfires Caused More Than $12 Billion in Damage

California’s 2020 Wildfires Caused More Than $12 Billion in Damage

The 2020 California wildfire season, which saw over four million acres burn, was profoundly influenced by a confluence of adverse weather patterns ...
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Colorado River Water Usage Faces Challenges Amid Declining Supply

Colorado River Water Usage Faces Challenges Amid Declining Supply

A detailed investigation by NPR’s Mountain West News Bureau has revealed significant challenges in measuring and managing Colorado River water usage. The Colorado River, a vital resource for agriculture, municipal, industrial, and commercial purposes, has seen a decline in available water due to increased evaporation and prolonged drought conditions. From 2014 to 2024, an average of 9.57 million acre-feet of water was used annually for agriculture, accounting for 65% of the river's total consumption in the U.S. However, evaporation alone accounted for 1.7 million acre-feet annually during the same period. States like Arizona, California, and Colorado are among the largest consumers, with agriculture being the dominant use. Experts warn that the current pace of water consumption is unsustainable, urging significant conservation efforts to address the imbalance between water usage and replenishment.
1Weather1Weather
Colorado River Water Use Faces Challenges Amid Declining Supply

Colorado River Water Use Faces Challenges Amid Declining Supply

A detailed investigation by the Mountain West News Bureau (MWNB) has revealed that the Colorado River is facing significant challenges due to declining water availability and unsustainable usage patterns. From 2000 to 2024, an average of 65% of the river's water was used for agricultural irrigation, amounting to 9.57 million acre-feet annually from 2014 to 2024. This represents a slight 2% decrease compared to the previous decade. Evaporation from reservoirs accounted for 1.7 million acre-feet of water loss annually during the same period, a 6% reduction from the prior decade. The study highlights the need for improved water conservation strategies, particularly in agriculture, which remains the dominant consumer of the river's resources. The Colorado River Basin, spanning seven U.S. states, is grappling with the impacts of prolonged drought and increasing demand, necessitating urgent action to ensure sustainable water distribution.
USA TodayUSA Today
National high school football rankings: Upsets reshape USA TODAY Sports Super 50

National high school football rankings: Upsets reshape USA TODAY Sports Super 50

Check the current 2026 season records for top high school football programs across every state in the country.
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Data Centers Face Scrutiny Over High Water Consumption Amid AI Construction Boom

Data Centers Face Scrutiny Over High Water Consumption Amid AI Construction Boom

Data Centers Face Scrutiny Over High Water Consumption Amid AI Construction Boom