Interior Department Adopts Post-2026 Colorado River Operating Framework Amid Drought
The U.S. Department of the Interior has adopted a new decision framework for managing Lake Powell and Lake Mead through 2036, citing ongoing drought and historically low reservoir levels (Interior, Aug. 21, 2026). The framework replaces the 2007 Interim Guidelines and introduces operating principles to protect critical infrastructure, ensure reliable water operations, and respond to changing hydrologic conditions. Operating guidelines for 2027 and 2028 mandate reductions in water usage for Lower Basin States, including Arizona, California, and Nevada, and establish conservation measures to address shortages. The guidelines aim to maintain a minimum elevation of 3,510 feet at Glen Canyon Dam and reduce consumptive use to 6.25 million acre-feet annually for Lake Mead. 
