The river\u2019s reservoirs have declined dramatically<\/a> amid unrelenting dry conditions over the last quarter-century, leaving the manmade lakes far below a coating of whitish minerals on rocks, where water once lapped.<\/p>\n Scientists found that the last 25 years likely have been the driest quarter-century<\/a> in 1,200 years. And research has shown that the warming climate, driven largely by the use of fossil fuels, has intensified the long stretch of mostly dry years. <\/p>\n Lake Mead, the river\u2019s largest reservoir, is now just 31% full. And Lake Powell, the river\u2019s second-largest reservoir, is at 29% of capacity.<\/p>\n The Colorado River provides water for cities from Denver to San Diego, 30 Native tribes and farming communities from the Rocky Mountains to northern Mexico. <\/p>\n (Matt York \/ Associated Press)<\/p>\n The Trump administration, through the Interior Department and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, operates the giant dams along the river.<\/p>\n Participants in the talks say federal officials gave them a Nov. 11 deadline to agree on key principles in several areas. The Trump administration hasn\u2019t publicly spelled out what it will do if the states fail to reach a consensus.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for the Interior Department said in an email that \u201cwe remain focused on achieving a seven-state agreement\u201d that would \u201cmaximize flexibility and cooperation in managing the Colorado River and best serve the 40 million people who depend on it.\u201d<\/p>\n Without a consensus among the states, the government\u2019s \u201coptions would be more limited and less beneficial than what could be achieved through a collaborative approach,\u201d the spokesperson said. \u201cWe are optimistic that, through continued collaboration and good-faith efforts, the seven states can develop the level of detail and consensus needed to meet the initial November deadline.\u201d<\/p>\n Research has shown that the Colorado River has lost about 20% of its flow since 2000.<\/p>\n Over the last few years, as reservoirs have declined, the states have negotiated short-term stopgap deals to reduce water use, including a three-year pact<\/a> adopted in 2023.<\/p>\n As part of the water-saving efforts, farmers in California\u2019s Imperial Valley are temporarily leaving some hay fields parched and fallow<\/a> in exchange for cash payments. Cities also have been using less water. Even as the population of the Southwest has grown, water use has declined.<\/p>\n California is expected to use less Colorado River water this year than any year since 1949, according to the state\u2019s Colorado Board. That\u2019s thanks to the state\u2019s long-term efforts and investments prioritizing conservation, said Hamby, the river commissioner.<\/p>\n \u201cIt sets a great example that you can do with less \u2014 and even do more with less,\u201d he said. \u201cIt certainly demonstrates what\u2019s possible all throughout the basin.\u201d<\/p>\n Yet tensions have continued to simmer among the states. Some have said the disagreements could lead to lawsuits, but they hope to avoid a legal battle<\/a> with an uncertain outcome.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are truly running out of time,\u201d Hamby said. \u201cWhat we need at this point is the willingness and effort to do more than any of us would like to do, but avoid the worst outcomes, which would come as a result of conflict.\u201d<\/p>\n Lake Mead, the river\u2019s largest reservoir, shown last year, is now just 31% full. <\/p>\n (Julia Demaree Nikhinson \/ Associated Press)<\/p>\n On Wednesday, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs strongly criticized the officials representing the four upper-basin states, saying they are taking an \u201cextreme negotiating position.\u201d Hobbs said the states, led by Colorado, \u201ccontinue to run down the clock.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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