U.S.'s new plan will slam AZ's water supplies if river stays low

A new federal plan could sharply reduce, or even eliminate, deliveries through the Central Arizona Project if Colorado River conditions continue to worsen. The canal supplies drinking water to Tucson and Phoenix.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s preferred plan would initially accept a proposal for the Lower Basin states to conserve 1.5 million acre-feet of water each year for the next two years. Arizona officials say that level of cuts would reduce CAP deliveries by about 14% for cities and 10% for tribes.

If Lake Mead and Lake Powell approach critically low levels, however, the plan could impose additional reductions of up to 3.6 million acre-feet annually on Arizona, California and Nevada. The proposal does not require comparable cuts from the Upper Basin states.

Arizona would be especially vulnerable because CAP water has a junior legal priority. Under the law that authorized the canal, CAP could lose all of its water before California gives up any of its river supply, although California has previously agreed to accept some reductions. Arizona officials say the plan could harm the state’s water users and economy and have threatened legal action if the final approach places a disproportionate burden on Arizona.

Lake Mead was at 1,041 feet and Lake Powell at 3,522 feet as of Friday. The reservoirs have declined this year after low mountain snowpack and extreme heat reduced water flowing into the Colorado River system. The bureau is expected to provide more details in coming weeks as it finalizes operating plans for 2027 and 2028.