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The Colorado River’s Largest Reservoirs Plummet to All-Time Lows as Plans for Basin Remain Precarious
- On Friday, the Bureau of Reclamation released a federal framework mandating water cuts for Arizona, California, and Nevada over the next two years, while exempting the four Upper Basin states from mandatory reductions.
- Record low levels at Lake Mead and Lake Powell, driven by deepening drought conditions, prompted the decision after the seven basin states failed to reach consensus on future reservoir operations earlier this year.
- Under the plan, Arizona must reduce usage by 760,000 acre-feet, California by 440,000 acre-feet, and Nevada by 50,000 acre-feet over two years, with states providing an additional 700,000 acre-feet of collective conservation.
- Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs applauded the framework for protecting the state from "disastrous and unacceptable forced federal water cuts," though Colorado River Board of California chairman JB Hamby warned it is "a bridge, not a permanent solution."
- The federal government finalized a 10-year framework for voluntary reductions, yet critics argue that renegotiating every two years may trap the basin in a cycle of "crisis management" rather than provide long-term certainty.
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Oil City NewsReposted by 
Cap City News
Cap City NewsBurgum OKs Colorado River plan, sparing cuts to Wyoming water use
by Angus M. Thuermer Jr., WyoFile Interior Secretary Doug Burgum signed a 10-year plan Friday that preserves Wyoming’s decades-long allocation for the drought-plagued Colorado River Basin. The plan sets operating criteria for releases into and out of the southwestern reservoirs of Lake Powell and Lake Mead for an initial two-year period, calling on California, Nevada and […]
What will latest Colorado River cuts mean for the Coachella Valley?
·Palm Springs, United States
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The IndependentReposted by 
The Independent (US)
The Independent (US)Arizona to lose a third of its Colorado River supply due to drought
‘The chickens have come home to roost,’ says former Phoenix water director
·London, United Kingdom
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Three Colorado River states must take big water cuts as biggest US reservoirs plunge to record lows
(CNN) — Arizona, California and Nevada will be forced to make deep cuts to the water they draw from the imperiled Colorado River under a new two-year operating plan published Friday, intended to help stave off an escalating crisis in…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources35
Leaning Left7Leaning Right3Center14Last UpdatedBias Distribution58% Center
Bias Distribution
- 58% of the sources are Center
58% Center
L 29%
C 58%
13%
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