A concrete arch-gravity dam on the Colorado River, forming Lake Powell in northern Arizona.
The US Interior Department has proposed a flexible framework to spare some Lower Basin states from mandatory cuts for now, with deeper reductions possible in drier times. California, Nevada and Arizona would share halves of the cuts, tied to priority water rights, and the plan would be revisited every two years as conditions change. The move aims to keep the river reliable for millions while addressing drought and climate change.
Federal agencies have unveiled a 10-year framework to manage the Colorado River, mandating deep cuts to California, Arizona and Nevada while preserving flexibility for future negotiations as drought persists. The plan contemplates annual reductions in the lower basin and signals ongoing debate over allocation and long-term governance.