The US has a plan to save the Colorado River. Experts say it won’t be enough to stop the crisis
The US Bureau of Reclamation has released a 10-year blueprint to manage the Colorado River crisis, mandating significant water cuts for California, Arizona, and Nevada. Experts warn that the plan is a temporary stopgap rather than a long-term solution to the region's severe water scarcity.
Why it matters
The Colorado River is a critical water source for millions of people and the agricultural industry in the American West, and its depletion threatens regional stability.
Lake Powell at the Glen Canyon national recreation area. Lake Powell at the Glen Canyon national recreation area. Colorado river crisis The US has a plan to save the Colorado River. Experts say it won’t be enough to stop the crisis The 10-year blueprint mandates water cuts of up to 40% for California, Arizona and Nevada
Prefer the Guardian on Google It’s official: after years of tense negotiations and missed deadlines, there is finally a plan to govern the future of the imperiled Colorado River - or at least the makings of one.
With the previous framework set to expire in October, the US Bureau of Reclamation publicly released its proposal for a new plan on Friday.
The broad, 10-year blueprint sets parameters for operating guidelines that will be decided every two years.
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