The Department of the Interior last month announced Colorado River supply cuts affecting the basin states of Arizona, Nevada and California, leaving many communities bracing for reduced water access. San Diego, though, says decades of costly investments — some criticized for driving up water bills — have positioned the region to avoid the pain other Southwest communities now face. … San Diego continues to grapple with the costs of securing its own water future, but its investments have shielded it from the outcomes of other Colorado River communities that are vulnerable to shortages. That’s created an opportunity for San Diego to sell its water to those communities — such as a deal it made with Riverside, netting $100 million in the first five years.

Other Colorado River management news:

• Reuters: How drought and demand pushed the Colorado River toward crisis
• ABC15 (Phoenix): How Nevada lawsuit could impact Arizona’s Colorado River water cuts
• The Arizona Republic (Phoenix): Could desalination help offset Arizona’s Colorado River water cuts?
• High Country News (Paonia, Colo.): What will happen to the Grand Canyon as water levels drop?
• Sky-Hi News (Granby, Colo.): Local water users encouraged to apply for free installation of measurement devices
• The Sacramento Bee (Calif.): Opinion: How Colorado River shortages could hit the San Joaquin Valley