Lower Basin States’ Alternative presented for post-2026 Colorado River operations

The Lower Basin States in the Colorado River Basin have jointly submitted to the Bureau of Reclamation a proposed alternative for long-term Colorado River operations that would help ensure the river system’s health and sustainability for decades to come.

"Protecting the future of the Colorado River must be a collective effort. The approach that was sent to the federal government today is a tremendous step forward, but there’s more to do. We need everyone across the Colorado River Basin working together to find the solutions necessary to protect the future of the Colorado River."

--CAP General Manager Brenda Burman



Three-state (Arizona, California, Nevada) proposed alternative>>

Read the press release about the three-state alternative here>>

View our Lower Basin Alternative infographic

Take a look at our visual depiction of the Lower Basin Alternative: Reduction Determination showing Maximum System Contents and Reduction Zones.  Read more>>

Reclamation features Lower Basin Consensus Proposal as preferred alternative for near-term Colorado River operations through 2026

This week, the Bureau of Reclamation also released its Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Near-Term Colorado River Operations. This features as the preferred alternative the Lower Basin states’ May 2023 proposal to conserve three million acre-feet of Colorado River water by 2026, beyond reductions previously agreed to under the Interim Shortage Guidelines and the Drought Contingency Plan. Read the three-state press statement here>>

Colorado River Conditions Dashboard 

Take a look at the most recent data on Colorado River conditions. Read more>>