California, Arizona and Nevada urge Trump administration to rethink Colorado River plans

"Federal officials have so far failed to examine whether their options comply with the 1922 Colorado River Compact, and this is "a fundamental deficiency that must be corrected," JB Hamby, California's lead negotiator, wrote in a letter to the Trump administration."

"The three downstream states said in letters to the Interior Department this week that the agency's preliminary outline of five options for cuts ignores the foundational "Law of the River" that has underpinned how seven western states operate for more than a century."

"The 1922 agreement promised more water than the river could provide, and now climate change is contributing to dry conditions and shrinking the river flow. It required the water released from Upper Basin dams for Nevada, Arizona and California to average at least 7.5 million acre-feet over any decade."

California, Arizona, and Nevada are criticizing the Trump administration's preliminary outline for Colorado River water cutbacks, warning that the proposals violate the 1922 Colorado River Compact, known as the "Law of the River." The three downstream states argue that federal officials have failed to examine whether their options comply with this foundational agreement that has governed water distribution among seven western states for over a century. The compact divided water between four upstream states and three downstream states, requiring minimum water releases of 7.5 million acre-feet per decade. Climate change and overallocation have created severe shortages, with state officials concerned that legal thresholds could soon be breached, potentially triggering lawsuits. The deadline for submitting comments on the administration's proposals was Monday, with current rules expiring in late 2026.

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