Amid severe drought and ongoing, tense negotiations over the future of the Colorado River, federal officials are predicting that Lake Mead will see its lowest water levels ever within the next two years. Last week, the Bureau of Reclamation released a report that estimates water levels for reservoirs in the Colorado River Basin, including Lake Powell and Lake Mead, over the next two years. … The report led the bureau to cut Arizona and Nevada’s shares of water from the Colorado River by 18% and 7%, respectively. Mexico will also lose 5% of its water allotment. The bureau did not call on California to reduce its water usage, however. 

Other Colorado River Basin news:

• Public News Service: WY, basin states get centuries-old assist on future Colorado River use
• The Land Desk: Blog: Colorado River report grim; may be looking on the bright side
• KUNC (Greeley, Colo.): In the NoCo podcast: Invasive zebra mussels devastate ecosystems. Can officials stop them from harming the Colorado River?
• USGS: Blog: Monitoring Utah’s water from the Colorado River Basin to the Great Basin