California, Nevada and Arizona’s historic pact to cut their use of the Colorado River’s overtapped supplies should be enough to keep the basin’s massive reservoirs from hitting dangerously low levels — for now, a federal analysis reported [Wednesday]. With the release of its revised environmental assessment today, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is poised to move forward with the three-state plan to give up about 13% of water they receive from the Colorado River through the end of 2026. … It’s a major milestone for fraught negotiations that began in the summer of 2022, as a megadrought parched the already-overdrafted Colorado River and federal officials called for massive cuts to water use.  

Related articles:

• Los Angeles Times: Feds say Colorado River water cuts are sufficient to stave off immediate risks
• The Hill: Biden administration advances Colorado River conservation proposal
• Associated Press: Federal officials say plan for water cuts from 3 Western states is enough to protect Colorado River
• U.S. Bureau of Reclamation: Biden-Harris administration announces next steps to protect the stability and sustainability of Colorado River Basin
• Law 360: Feds amend Colorado River plan to add states’ water pact