California will likely not face any cuts in Colorado River supply in 2024, according to a new forecast released on Tuesday by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The agency said heavy snowpack and rains last winter mean planned reductions can be eased slightly from more urgent levels last year. But Arizona will still lose as much as 18% of its river allocation, and Nevada and Mexico could lose smaller amounts, under pre-determined levels set by federal, international and state officials to account for shortages. And no one’s breathing easy, with the long-term prognosis for the river still grim due to overuse coupled with ever longer droughts exacerbated by climate change.

Related articles: 

• Colorado Public Radio: Feds roll back Colorado River water cuts after wet winter as states negotiate long-term drought rules
• Las Vegas Review-Journal: Lake Mead’s water shortage continues, but cuts eased for 2024
• Arizona Republic: Lake Mead swelled with winter runoff, but states will still bank Colorado River water
• CNN: Feds ease water cuts on Colorado River after blockbuster winter
• U.S. Bureau of Reclamation: Reclamation announces 2024 operating conditions for Lake Powell and Lake Mead