With the leaders of seven states deadlocked over the Colorado River’s deepening crisis, negotiations increasingly seem likely to fail — which could lead the federal government to impose unilateral cuts and spark lawsuits that would bring a complex court battle. … In a meeting this week, Arizona officials seemed to be anticipating failure. They pointed out that the amount of water flowing into Lake Mead, the nation’s largest reservoir, could soon fall to a trigger point — a legal “tripwire” that would allow Arizona to demand cuts upriver and sue for a violation of the compact. … The water reaching the Lower Basin will probably fall below that point later this year or next, which has never happened.

Other Colorado River news: 

• The Colorado Sun (Denver): Voters thought Colorado wasn’t doing enough to protect its water even before this winter’s dry spell
• Nevada Current: Warmer water in Lake Mead risks vital operations
• FOX13 (Salt Lake City, Utah): Utah legislature stashes $1 million for Colorado River litigation
• Las Vegas Sun (Nev.): Endurance run spotlights future of Colorado River, Southwest