Why is California going it alone in Colorado River talks?
With the recent expiration of a federal deadline, California now finds itself sharply at odds with six other states over how to take less water from the shrinking Colorado River. After rejecting a plan offered by the rest of the region, California has entered a political tug-of-war with high stakes. So why has the state that uses the most Colorado River water decided to go it alone? California appears to be banking on its high-priority senior water rights, while the other states are presenting a united front to show the federal government they support a plan that would have California give up more water. … The parties are at an impasse as the federal government begins to weigh alternatives for rapidly reducing water use and preventing the river’s reservoirs from reaching dangerously low levels.
Related articles:
- CNN: California floated cutting major Southwest cities off Colorado River water before touching its agriculture supply, sources say
- 8 News – Las Vegas: California’s water plan ignores evaporation, honors letter of ‘Law of the River’
- Arizona Daily Star: California’s Colorado River plan would hit Arizona hard
- Fast Company: What’s happening to the Colorado River? Drought and overuse spark a crisis
- Mother Jones: This Deal Could Save the Colorado River—if California Doesn’t Blow It Up
- Imperial Valley Press: Colorado River Board of California released an alternative plan to conserve water