Critical negotiations about the future of the Colorado River took a two week hiatus last month after the seven states in the basin missed a key Valentine’s Day deadline for striking a deal, New Mexico’s water negotiator said Thursday. Estevan López said talks resumed March 2, and the upper and lower basin states are using a short-term pitch from Nevada as a starting point. “Right now, we’re in discussions with the lower basin about a potential short-term agreement,” Lopez told New Mexico’s Interstate Stream Commission. Nevada is proposing to increase water releases from upper basin reservoirs like Flaming Gorge by at least 500,000 acre feet to help prevent Lake Powell from dropping too low.

Other Colorado River management news:

• The Arizona Republic (Phoenix): Tribes want input, influence on Colorado River drought plan
• AZPM (Tucson): The future of Southern Arizona’s water: What Colorado River cuts could mean for Tucson’s water supply
• Wyoming Public Radio: How low levels at Lake Powell could affect Wyoming’s water
• Bloomberg: Opinion: The Colorado River disaster can still be salvaged
• East Bay Times (San Jose, Calif.): Opinion: The Colorado River’s problems are about to get deeper
• Ariz. Gov. Katie Hobbs: News release: Governor Katie Hobbs announces appointment of experts to water infrastructure finance authority at critical moment for Arizona’s water
• National Audubon Society: Blog: Colorado River Remains in crisis with continued uncertainty on water supply and operations