Federal Plan Mandates Water Use Cuts for California, Arizona, and Nevada Amid Colorado River Crisis
The U.S. federal government is set to implement a new plan requiring California, Arizona, and Nevada to reduce their water usage from the Colorado River by 16 to 20% through 2028. This decision comes as the river's reservoirs, Lake Powell and Lake Mead, have reached historic lows due to prolonged drought conditions exacerbated by climate change. The Colorado River, a crucial water source for 40 million people and 5 million acres of farmland, has been shrinking over the past 25 years. The new federal plan follows unsuccessful negotiations among the seven basin states to reach a consensus on water sharing. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has published a 10-year operating framework, which will guide the water cuts, aiming to address the ongoing water crisis. 
