Negotiators for seven Western states are under mounting pressure to reach an agreement outlining how they plan to share the Colorado River’s dwindling water. The Trump administration gave the states a Tuesday deadline to agree on the initial terms of a plan for cutting water use to prevent the river’s reservoirs from declining to dangerously low levels. Because California uses more Colorado River water than any other state, it will play a central role in any deal to take less from the river.

Other Colorado River negotiations news:

• CalMatters: Colorado River talks hit crunch time. What’s at stake for California water?
• High Country News (Paonia, Colo.): Why Colorado River negotiations are so difficult
• Colorado Public Radio: A Colorado River deadline looms, here is what’s at stake for Colorado
• Cowboy State Daily (Cheyenne, Wyo.): Wyoming may force water cuts as Colorado River Crisis deepens
• The Salt Lake Tribune (Utah): Deadline looms for Utah, other Colorado River states to hash out a new plan. Here’s what’s at stake.
• Utah Public Radio: Colorado River water shortages threaten to curtail Utah towns and farmers
• Colorado River Board of California: News release: California projected to achieve lowest Colorado River use since 1949