Proposal adds up to a million-acre-feet of conservation on top of the 1.25 million-acre-feet annual Lower Basin reductions proposed earlier
The Lower Basin States of Arizona, California, and Nevada today advanced a plan to stabilize the Colorado River through 2028, responding to declining reservoir levels, record low inflows to Lake Powell, and increasing risk of reaching critical elevations at both Lake Powell and Lake Mead.
Earlier in the post-2026 process, the Lower Basin took a significant step by proposing 1.25 million acre-feet in annual reductions, with an additional 250,000 acre-feet from Mexico, totaling approximately 1.5 million acre-feet per year.
This proposal builds on that foundation with an expanded system conservation program across the Lower Basin with an estimated contribution of at least 700,000 acre-feet. In total, the plan identifies up to 3.2 million acre-feet of water savings to the system through 2028.
The proposal is an integrated package addressing Lake Powell releases, Upper Initial Unit operations, Lower Basin reductions, additional conservation, use of Intentionally Created Surplus, and system infrastructure improvements. Lower Basin contributions are contingent on these coordinated operations to ensure system stability as well as appropriate funding.
“With this proposal, the Lower Basin is putting forth real action to stabilize water supply along the Colorado River. We’re putting forward additional measurable water contributions for the system. Without that, the system will continue to decline,” said JB Hamby.
“This proposal is about moving from ideas to implementation,” said John Entsminger. “It pairs real measurable water contributions with sensible dry-condition operations at Lake Powell and across the Upper Initial Units. Now is the time for every water user in the Basin to double down on water conservation as we face historically dry hydrology.”
“This proposal reflects the creativity and commitment of water users across the Lower Basin who continue to step forward with solutions that support the river,” said Tom Buschatzke. “We have shown that collaborative, voluntary efforts and reductions that are certain can produce meaningful water savings.”
The Lower Basin states recognize the Upper Basin’s call for mediation and are open to that process. However, current conditions require immediate, measurable water reductions from every state. The Lower Basin states stand ready to engage in a meaningful process for long-term solutions while encouraging the Upper Basin to step forward now with verifiable water contributions to help stabilize the system and support a near-term, seven-state bridge.
The Lower Basin states confirmed that the proposal preserves legal accountability under the Colorado River Compact, including Upper Basin delivery obligations, while maintaining a clear path toward a broader agreement among all seven Basin States.
The plan has been advanced to the federal government for consideration as part of the ongoing post-2026 planning process and is intended to provide a near-term bridge through 2028 while long-term operating guidelines are finalized.
Implementation of key elements of the proposal, including expanded system conservation, will require federal partnership.
The proposal remains subject to approval by the Arizona Legislature and relevant California and Nevada water agency governing boards.
Statement from the Imperial Irrigation District:
The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) today expressed support for California advancing a Lower Basin proposal designed to stabilize the Colorado River system through 2028, as federal and state partners respond to continued dry conditions and declining reservoir levels.
The framework, developed by the Lower Basin states of Arizona, California, and Nevada, is being advanced to the federal government as part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. It is intended to provide near-term stability while longer-term operating guidelines continue to be developed.
The proposal builds on prior Lower Basin commitments of 1.25 million acre-feet in annual reductions, in addition to 250,000 acre-feet in coordinated contributions from Mexico, and adds an expanded system conservation program expected to generate 700,000 acre-feet of additional conserved water and up to 1 million acre-feet. In total, the framework targets over 3.2 million acre-feet of water contributions to the system through 2028.
The framework is structured as an integrated package that includes coordinated operations at Lake Powell, use of Upper Basin Initial Units, Lower Basin reductions, system conservation with Federal funding support, and operational flexibility through Intentionally Created Surplus.
“IID has been and will continue to be a leading voice in these discussions, always grounded in protecting our community and the agricultural economy that depends on the Colorado River,” said IID Board Chairwoman Karin Eugenio. “We recognize the urgency of the moment given the record-low hydrology and support advancing a framework that can stabilize the system while ensuring our water rights and local interests remain protected.”
“This is about making sure solutions work for the people who depend on this water every day,” said IID Director for Division 1, Alex Cardenas. “Imperial Valley agriculture feeds the nation, and any conservation efforts must be paired with real support, including funding, and appropriate consideration for the Salton Sea. We can be part of the solution, but it has to be done the right way.”
IID emphasized that it has not made any binding commitments as part of the framework and that ultimately any District participation would require Board authorization, federal partnership, and alignment with IID’s long standing priorities, including protection of its senior water rights and environmental stewardship.
Statement from the Metropolitan Water District
General Manager Shivaji Deshmukh: “Metropolitan has been working for more than a year toward building a consensus among all Colorado River water users for post-2026 operations, to improve both sustainability and certainty on the river. Unfortunately, all seven states have not been able to reach an agreement. With record-low snowpack in the Colorado River Basin producing what is forecast to be the second worst runoff in history, we have shifted to addressing the immediate critical hydrology, working with our Lower Basin partners.
“The plan put forth today by the Lower Basin aims to address the historically dry conditions in the near term, through reductions in water use and other actions. This conservation will help us prepare for the serious challenges the Basin will be confronting in the coming months.
“At the same time, Metropolitan remains hopeful an agreement can be reached in the next year among the seven states for broad conservation programs across the Basin. We recognize the significant challenges the Upper Basin states are facing this year, but also believe they can ramp up programs to support the river when conditions improve. For this short-term plan, the reductions Southern California is taking are significant, but we can find a way to manage them. What is not manageable is continued uncertainty with this water supply, which is the foundation of water reliability throughout the Basin. We must recognize that the river is changing, and the only way we can ensure the communities, businesses and ecosystems across the Southwest have the water they need in the decades to come is by all seven states working together.”
