U.S. and Mexico Extend Colorado River Drought Measures Through 2028
The United States and Mexico have signed Minute 334, a new agreement extending cooperative measures for managing the Colorado River through 2028. This agreement, signed on September 2, 2026, in El Paso, Texas, replaces previous agreements and introduces new water management strategies to address ongoing drought conditions and historically low reservoir levels. Under the agreement, Mexico will reduce its annual Colorado River water deliveries by 250,000 acre-feet in 2027 and 2028. Similarly, U.S. Lower Basin users will reduce their allocations by 1.25 million acre-feet during the same period. The agreement also includes provisions for increasing water deliveries to Mexico if Lake Mead's elevation reaches 1,125 feet or higher. Additional measures include a salinity pilot program, continued binational environmental work, and studies into new water sources and desalination.
