Colorado River Water Management Plans

SOURCE npr.org
Seven states managing the Colorado River are divided over new plans to account for climate change impacts on water sharing. Upper Basin states want reduced water releases due to climate change, while Lower Basin states propose a new framework for water distribution.

Key Points

  • Upper Basin states propose reduced water releases from Lake Powell due to climate change
  • Lower Basin states introduce a new framework for measuring water in western reservoirs and distributing cutbacks accordingly
  • Both proposals aim to address the imbalance between supply and demand on the Colorado River

Pros

  • Efforts to address climate change impacts on water sharing
  • Proposals from both Upper Basin and Lower Basin states show willingness to negotiate and find consensus

Cons

  • Legal ambiguity surrounding reduced water releases proposed by Upper Basin states
  • Differences in approach between Upper Basin and Lower Basin states may hinder reaching a unified plan