CRIT Manataba Messenger

06/13/2026

Water leaders across the Southwest are looking at new ways to manage limited Colorado River supplies as the Basin continues to face drought, low reservoir levels, and uncertainty over future rules. Recent reports show that agencies are no longer only talking about emergency cuts. They are also exploring interstate exchanges, desalination, recycled water, local conservation, rate increases, and new federal leadership as the Colorado River system moves closer to a critical point.
Arizona Water News reported that the Bureau of Reclamation and water agencies from Arizona, California, and Nevada signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant in California. The agreement is meant to explore a framework for future interstate water exchanges, allowing agencies to discuss partnerships around desalination, recycled water, and other supply projects that could benefit more than one state.
The MOU was signed by the Bureau of Reclamation, San Diego County Water Authority, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Arizona Department of Water Resources, Central Arizona Project, and Salt River Project. According to the release, future exchanges would use existing infrastructure and would not change or reallocate existing water rights. Instead, the goal is to create more flexibility so agencies can share the benefits of new water supplies when and where they are needed most.
That kind of flexibility is becoming more important as long-term drought has reduced Colorado River system storage to about 36% of capacity. Arizona Water News reported that record-low snowpack and record-breaking heat have added more pressure to the river system, increasing risks to the water and power infrastructure that millions of people depend on.
NPR reported that San Diego, once one of the cities most dependent on the Colorado River, now has excess water it may be able to sell or exchange. The city has invested in water recycling, conservation, and the Carlsbad Desalination Plant, which produces about 50 million gallons of drinking water each day. The plant supplies about 7% to 10% of the region’s water.
The idea would not involve physically sending desalinated water to Arizona or Nevada. Instead, San Diego could use more desalinated water locally and leave some of its Colorado River supplies in Lake Mead for others to use. This kind of exchange could help the larger system by keeping more water in the reservoir while allowing participating agencies to benefit from new local supplies.
At the federal level, the Bureau of Reclamation may soon see new leadership. KJZZ reported that water leader Aubrey Bettencourt is likely to be nominated to run Reclamation, the top federal agency involved in Colorado River operations. Scott Cameron currently serves as the acting leader of Reclamation and oversees the agency at a time when decisions about Lake Mead, Lake Powell, and post-2026 river rules are especially important. Cameron has previously visited the CRIT Reservation, and hopefully CRIT will get the opportunity to meet and build a working relationship with the next Reclamation leader.
Local communities are also preparing for a future with less reliable Colorado River supplies. KJZZ reported that Scottsdale approved a 4.5% water rate increase, with part of the funding going toward additional water sources. Scottsdale receives about 70% of its water from the Colorado River, and Arizona is expected to face more reductions in its river allocation. The city is considering several options, including advanced water purification, groundwater from Harquahala Valley, and expanding Bartlett Dam on the Verde River.
Utah Public Radio reported that Lake Powell may be in worse condition than its surface elevation suggests. A new report from Colorado River experts warns that the Basin’s major reservoirs are sliding toward “devastating consequences” if water levels continue to drop. The report said another dry year could push Lake Powell and Lake Mead toward “run-of-the-river” conditions, meaning the reservoirs would lose much of their ability to store water for the future and would mainly pass water downstream.
The Colorado River’s future will depend on whether states, tribes, federal agencies, cities, and water users can agree on rules that reduce demand while protecting the river itself. New supply projects and flexible exchanges may help, but they cannot replace the need for serious conservation, fair long-term management, and meaningful tribal involvement.
What does this mean for CRIT?
For the Colorado River Indian Tribes, the water news updates show how quickly the future of the river is being reshaped. Agencies across Arizona, California, and Nevada are discussing new ways to exchange water, cities are paying more to secure future supplies, and federal leaders are preparing for decisions that could affect Lake Mead, Lake Powell, and the entire Colorado River system.
Because CRIT holds senior rights to the Colorado River, these conversations are directly connected to the Tribe’s future. Interstate exchanges, desalination projects, and local supply agreements may be framed as creative solutions, but they must be developed in ways that respect existing rights, tribal sovereignty, and the legal priority of tribes with senior water rights.



Article written by CRIT Media Reporter Ariana Romero

06/10/2026

The Colorado River Basin is facing another warning sign, as experts suggest that another dry winter could push the system closer to a serious storage crash. Recent reports indicate that the river’s future is being shaped by shrinking reservoir levels, uncertain runoff, growing demand, city-level water planning, and the need for better information about who depends on the river and how much water is actually available.
Inside Climate News reported that Colorado River experts are warning of “devastating consequences” if the Basin experiences another dry winter. The warning comes after record-low snowpack across parts of the Colorado River Basin and continued low water levels at Lake Powell. According to the report, if the 2027 water year looks similar to one of the driest years since 2000, the system could overuse the river’s natural flow by millions of acre-feet, putting Lake Mead and Lake Powell dangerously close to critical operating levels.
That matters because Lake Mead and Lake Powell are not just large reservoirs. They are the main storage system for the Colorado River. They help move water downstream, support hydropower generation, protect against dry years, and serve cities, farms, tribes, ecosystems, and industries throughout the West. If those reservoirs continue to fall, the river system becomes harder to manage, and federal agencies may have fewer options to protect both water deliveries and infrastructure.
Experts also warned that even a wet winter would not fully solve the problem. A strong snow year could temporarily refill part of the system, but without long-term reductions in water use, the reservoirs could return to today’s low levels within a short period of time. This shows that the Colorado River crisis is not only about one dry year or one bad snowpack. It is about a long-term imbalance between how much water the river produces and how much water the region has planned to use.
As Arizona cities get ready for less Colorado River water, a heads-up is in order. The Arizona Municipal Water Users Association mentioned that while the final call hasn’t been made, the federal government suggests that Arizona, California, and Nevada might need to use a lot less Colorado River water to keep the river’s infrastructure safe from getting worse. AMWUA pointed out that Arizona might be hit first because the Central Arizona Project, which brings Colorado River water to Phoenix and Tucson, gets priority lower than other users.
For Phoenix-area cities, this means we can’t just rely on the Colorado River to always have enough water. AMWUA said cities are already stepping up by investing in long-term water security, conservation, and infrastructure. The takeaway is clear: a river shortage doesn’t automatically mean a tap shortage, but to avoid that, we need to plan, invest, and get everyone involved.
Other Arizona communities are also figuring out what less water might mean for them. San Tan Sun News reported that Chandler is looking at how reduced water supplies could affect them. This kind of local planning is becoming more crucial as cities across Arizona get ready for a future where Colorado River deliveries might be smaller, cost more, or less dependable. Water cuts that used to seem far off are now being talked about in city budgets, plans for buildings, and conservation efforts.
Water managers and reporters are also starting to question some of the standard figures we hear about the Colorado River. KNAU mentioned that the common estimate of nearly 40 million people depending on the Colorado River might not be spot-on. Water policy experts pointed out that it’s tough to pin down the exact number because people use the term “Colorado River water” in different ways. Some only count the main river, while others include tributaries, groundwater, service areas, and growing communities in Mexico.
This uncertainty is important because how many people there are can affect who has the power, how much money gets allocated, and how everyone understands the situation. If decision-makers don’t have clear numbers on how many people use the river, how much water they’re using, and how much farmland depends on it, it becomes harder to make fair and accurate choices. KNAU also noted that tribal water rights add another layer of uncertainty because some tribal rights in the Basin aren’t recognized or measured.
Water quality is also a key part of Arizona’s water discussion. Arizona’s Family reported that Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a water quality bill as nitrates keep being a problem in the waterways. While this is separate from planning for the Colorado River shortage, it shows that Arizona’s water issues aren’t just about having enough water. Communities need to also take care of water quality, treatment, infrastructure, and public health as the pressure on water systems gets higher.
Weather is another thing to keep an eye on as Arizona gets ready for summer heat and the monsoon season. Triple-digit temperatures make us use more water, especially for homes, gardens, and outside activities. While summer storms can give us a little break, they don’t replace the need for winter snowpack in the Rocky Mountains, which is what feeds most of the Colorado River system. Short bursts of rain might help local conditions, but they can’t fully fill Lake Mead and Lake Powell or fix the long-term shortage problems.
These reports paint a concerning picture of the Colorado River system, indicating ongoing stress. Experts are sounding alarms that another dry winter could push storage levels dangerously close to a crisis. Arizona cities are gearing up for less Colorado River water, and local governments are taking stock of potential impacts. Water managers are also questioning whether the public fully understands who depends on the river and how much water is actually available. At the same time, water quality and summer demand add to the pressure on an already strained system.
The Colorado River crisis is evolving beyond just future negotiations. It’s already influencing city planning, risk assessment, community growth discussions, and state water management strategies. The coming years will be crucial as the Basin works on new operating rules and decides how to manage a river that can no longer meet all demands.
What does this mean for CRIT?
CRIT’s senior Colorado River rights give the Tribe a strong and important position, but the broader Basin conversation also underscores why those rights must remain prominent as states, cities, and federal agencies prepare for reduced water. When Arizona cities plan for lower supplies and water managers discuss the number of people relying on the river, tribal water rights and tribal communities cannot be overlooked.



Written by CRIT Media Reporter Ariana Romero

06/05/2026

Chairwoman Amelia Flores, Vice Chairman Dwight Lomayesva, Councilwoman Vanessa Welch, Deputy Attorney General Travis Nez, and Lead Water Attorney John Bezdek are in attendance at this historic conference representing Colorado River Indian Tribes.

06/03/2026

📢 NEWS RELEASE

Southwest Water Leaders Join Forces to Look at Interstate Water Exchanges
On June 3, Southwest water leaders came together to sign a Memorandum of Understanding, aiming to find fresh ways to boost the long-term water management in the Colorado River Basin.

This agreement brings together the Bureau of Reclamation and agencies from California, Nevada, and Arizona. It opens the door for these groups to discuss a possible plan for water exchanges across state lines, including teaming up on desalination, recycled water, and other water projects.

This MOU doesn’t change or move any water rights we already have. Instead, it’s all about exploring future agreements that could help the agencies involved share resources, make better use of what we already have, and make sure our water supply stays reliable as the Colorado River system faces ongoing drought.

The signing is a testament to the ongoing teamwork among Lower Basin partners as they work together to find new solutions for the limited Colorado River supplies and the long-term water challenges we’re facing.



Overview written by CRIT Media Reporter Ariana Romero

06/03/2026

CRIT Media is inviting the community to help us celebrate the amazing dads in our lives this Father’s Day by nominating the Best Dad to be featured in the newspaper. 💙

To honor a special dad, submit his photo along with a short message sharing why he means so much to you and what makes him an incredible father.

06/02/2026

CRIT Media is inviting enrolled CRIT Tribal Members to help name the new CRIT Podcast as part of its official relaunch. 🎙️

Community members are encouraged to submit their best podcast name idea for a chance to have it selected as the official title used across CRIT Media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Spotify, LinkedIn, and more.

See flyer for details.

06/02/2026

As the Colorado River talks keep going, it’s clear that the water situation is getting more serious than just state and federal meetings. Cities are getting ready for less water, local governments are tightening up on who can use the water, and there are more disagreements about groundwater. Plus, businesses are starting to see the financial impact of a river that’s being used too much and is under a lot of stress.
The Lower Basin states of Arizona, California, and Nevada are still pushing for a quick fix to help the Colorado River stay stable until 2028. The Calexico Chronicle reports that this plan would give the system over 3.2 million acre-feet of water each year until 2028. This is a response to the fact that the reservoirs are getting lower, Lake Powell is getting less water than usual, and there’s a growing chance that Lake Powell and Lake Mead will reach dangerous levels.
This plan is based on what the Lower Basin has already done, like agreeing to cut back on water each year and do more conservation. The new plan includes cuts from the Lower Basin, more conservation for the whole system, maybe some improvements to the infrastructure, and working together to manage the reservoirs. The leaders of the Lower Basin say this plan is a way to turn ideas into action and give the seven Basin states more time to figure out how to run the river in the long run after the current rules end.
Even though this plan might give us some breathing room, it doesn’t solve the bigger problem. The river is still giving us less water than we need, and now cities, rural areas, developers, businesses, farmers, and tribal groups are feeling the pressure. This is happening all over Arizona and in the Basin.
In Phoenix, city leaders are getting ready for the possibility of Colorado River cuts by checking out alternative water sources and long-term reserves. Phoenix relies on several water sources, including the Colorado River through the Central Arizona Project. As future reductions become more likely, the city’s planning mirrors a broader trend across the Southwest: big cities are no longer seeing Colorado River shortages as just a distant threat. They’re preparing for a future where less river water might be available, and backup supplies might be needed to keep up with demand.
In Tucson, water worries are already shaping development choices. KGUN 9 reported that the City of Tucson asked developers connected to Project Blue to stop using Tucson’s water supply after finding out water had been moved from the city’s system to the proposed data center site for dust control. Tucson Water took back a construction water meter linked to the project, and city officials mentioned that using Tucson water didn’t align with the mayor and council’s decision to turn down city involvement or support for the proposed development.
The city is also looking for compensation, asking the developers to pass 2 acre-feet of water credits to Tucson Water to replace the amount they used. This situation highlights how closely water use is being monitored as new developments, especially those that use a lot of water, move forward in a drought-affected area. It also brings up a growing question for Arizona communities: when water supplies are uncertain, who gets access, under what conditions, and who is responsible when water is used without public support?
Groundwater is becoming a more important topic. In western Arizona, Mohave County is still working to get more control over groundwater in the Hualapai Basin case. This disagreement is part of a bigger problem across Arizona, where groundwater is often seen as a backup when surface water supplies aren’t as reliable. But groundwater isn’t endless, and rural areas are now asking for stronger tools to manage pumping before shortages get worse.
These local groundwater battles are connected to the bigger Colorado River crisis. As Colorado River deliveries become less predictable, cities and developers might rely more on groundwater. This puts extra pressure on rural basins, local governments, and communities that depend on aquifers for their long-term survival. Now, the question isn’t just about how much water we can take from the Colorado River, but how much pressure will be put on groundwater systems when river supplies run low.
The effects are also being felt upstream. Salt Lake Magazine and Utah News Dispatch reported that federal officials are planning to release up to one-third of the water in Flaming Gorge Reservoir over the next year to help support Lake Powell and keep Glen Canyon Dam generating electricity. Flaming Gorge, located on the Green River in Utah and Wyoming, has already been used in past emergency actions to support the Colorado River system.
This new release plan is causing concerns in communities that depend on Flaming Gorge for recreation, tourism, and local business. Marina operators and local officials are worried that a big drawdown could shorten the summer season, put boat ramps out of commission, and hurt small communities economically. The reservoir might have been built to help support the larger Colorado River system, but the local impacts show that emergency actions in one part of the Basin can cause problems in another.
One of the biggest challenges for Colorado River managers is figuring out how to move water to protect Lake Powell and Lake Mead. While this might help the system in the short term, it could also put more pressure on communities upstream, local businesses, and ecosystems. As the drought continues, we might see more emergency operations, and every decision will have repercussions throughout the Basin.
The financial aspect of the Colorado River crisis is also becoming more noticeable. Yale Insights mentioned that the river hasn’t been delivering enough water for years, and reservoirs have been making up the difference. The article compared the Colorado River’s overuse to a financial account being depleted year after year to cover promises that can’t be fully fulfilled anymore. The report also pointed out that the Colorado River Compact allocated more water than the river has recently produced, leaving a gap that has contributed to the decline of Lake Mead and Lake Powell.
This imbalance poses risks not only for governments but also for companies, developers, and industries that rely on dependable water. Yale Insights noted that agriculture, semiconductor manufacturing, mining, data centers, and real estate are all vulnerable to Colorado River shortages. If water becomes more expensive, less reliable, or legally restricted, these risks could impact operating costs, development plans, supply chains, and investment decisions across the West.
Realtor.com mentioned that the new Colorado River water-saving plan could have a significant impact on housing markets in Arizona, California, and Nevada. The report noted that the Lower Basin proposal suggests a move away from the idea of unlimited growth in the desert Southwest. Housing, development, and water supply are becoming more interconnected, especially in areas where new subdivisions need to demonstrate long-term water availability before construction can begin.
This is important because water scarcity isn’t just a problem for farms and reservoirs. It can also impact housing prices, utility rates, construction choices, insurance, lending, and overall local development. As Arizona and other Lower Basin states continue to expand, communities will need to demonstrate their ability to support that growth with reliable water supplies. The Colorado River crisis is becoming a matter of planning, economics, and community stability.
These reports collectively illustrate a Basin facing pressure from various directions simultaneously. The Lower Basin states are implementing short-term conservation measures to safeguard the river system. Phoenix is setting aside reserves. Tucson is firmly establishing limits on water usage for a proposed data center project. Rural Arizona is advocating for stronger groundwater management. Flaming Gorge communities are experiencing the immediate effects of emergency reservoir operations. Businesses and housing markets are starting to recognize the financial implications of water uncertainty.
What does this mean for CRIT?
For the Colorado River Indian Tribes, this moment highlights the need to consider water decisions beyond just short-term reductions and emergency plans. When states negotiate conservation, cities prepare reserves, developers seek new water sources, and federal agencies transfer water between reservoirs, these decisions ultimately shape the future of the very river that CRIT has relied on for generations.
CRIT’s senior Colorado River rights give the Tribe a strong and important voice in these discussions. However, the pressure across the Basin also highlights why sovereignty, stewardship, and long-term planning should always be at the forefront. As water becomes more valuable and contested, CRIT’s role is not just to protect its rights, but to remind everyone in the Basin that the river is so much more than just a supply system. It’s a living resource connected to our culture, land, agriculture, community, and the future.

05/29/2026

News on the Colorado River

Satellite data tracks hidden water dynamics across the basin, improving predictions critical for drought planning By Faith Kearns, Arizona State University For Arizona, where much of the state’s water supply depends on the Colorado River, even small improvements in hydrologic forecasting can have ...

05/27/2026

Arizona, California and Nevada have put forward a new short-term Colorado River proposal aimed at protecting Lake Mead and Lake Powell while the Basin states continue working toward a longer-term agreement. The proposal comes at a critical time, as the Colorado River system continues to face worsening drought, shrinking runoff and growing pressure from cities, farms and communities that depend on the river. According to KOLD 13 Tucson, the three Lower Basin states submitted a plan to reduce their use of Colorado River water by at least 3.2 million acre-feet through 2028 as the nation’s two largest reservoirs remain under serious stress.
The proposal is being described as a temporary bridge, not a permanent fix. Utah Public Radio reported that the Lower Basin states offered the plan after about two years of disagreement with the Upper Basin states over who should take cuts and how deep those reductions should be. The current Colorado River operating agreements are set to expire in October, and federal officials have warned they may step in if the Basin states do not reach a deal.�

For Arizona, the proposal could make future water cuts less severe than what federal officials had previously considered. KJZZ reported that the plan would help Phoenix-area cities avoid the deepest cuts that had been proposed for the Central Arizona Project, the 336-mile canal system that carries Colorado River water to the Phoenix and Tucson areas. Although Arizona would still leave some of its water in the river, the new proposal would move the state away from what Central Arizona Project officials had described as potentially “devastating” reductions.�
Arizona would still carry a major share of the reductions. KOLD reported that Arizona would pledge to conserve 760,000 acre-feet of water per year under the Lower Basin proposal. In southern Arizona, Tucson Water said its ability to order future water could be reduced by about 20%. The report also noted that Arizona’s junior water rights status made the federal government’s earlier draft proposal especially concerning for the state. Under this new proposal, water officials said the burden would be spread more broadly across Arizona, California and Nevada.

The Arizona Municipal Water Users Association said the proposal may buy time, but it does not remove the larger problem. AMWUA reported that cities and municipal water providers in Arizona would still have at least 20% less Colorado River water for the next two years. That reduction is significant, but AMWUA said it is smaller than the cuts proposed in the Bureau of Reclamation’s January draft Environmental Impact Statement. In other words, the plan may give cities more time to prepare for deeper reductions, but it does not erase the reality that less Colorado River water will be available.�

While state leaders negotiate larger agreements, Arizona communities are also looking at local conservation tools. ABC15 reported that Gilbert leaders are considering a $250,000 plan to expand a grass removal rebate program as the town faces growing pressure on its Colorado River supply. The proposal would include a federal WaterSMART grant from the Bureau of Reclamation and a local match, helping businesses and organizations replace grass with more drought-tolerant landscaping.� These local actions show how Colorado River shortages are moving from the policy level into everyday community planning. Cities and towns are not only watching negotiations between states; they are also preparing their own conservation programs, infrastructure changes and water-saving measures. Grass removal programs, municipal cutback planning and long-term supply reviews are becoming part of how Arizona communities prepare for a future with less river water.

The larger challenge is that the Colorado River is still producing less water than the region has historically planned to use. JFleck at Inkstain discussed the need for flexible conservation pools, which are tools that could help protect the system without creating additional political, legal or hydrological risk. The article points to the post-2026 planning process and argues that conservation pools could provide system protection during extremely dry years, especially as runoff and reservoir conditions become more difficult to predict.�
Together, these reports show that the Lower Basin proposal is an important step, but not a final answer. Arizona, California and Nevada are offering major cuts to help stabilize Lake Mead and Lake Powell, while local conservation and new management tools may help buy time. But the long-term future of the Colorado River still depends on a broader agreement between all seven Basin states, Mexico, tribes, cities, agriculture and federal agencies. The proposal may reduce immediate risk, but the Basin still faces the same hard truth: there is less water in the river system, and every water user will be affected by how future rules are written.

What does this mean for CRIT?
The Lower Basin proposal is another reminder that the future of the Colorado River is being shaped in real time. Arizona, California and Nevada are working to protect their own water supplies while also trying to keep Lake Mead and Lake Powell from falling to more dangerous levels. The proposal may help buy time, but it does not solve the deeper issue: there is still not enough water in the system to meet every demand placed on it. As cities prepare for cuts, conservation programs expand and new management tools are discussed, CRIT’s role as a sovereign Tribal Nation with senior water rights must remain visible and respected. This moment also shows why the Tribe’s Water Code, Water Resiliency Act and Personhood Resolution matter. They are not just internal actions; they are part of CRIT’s larger effort to protect the river, strengthen its voice in Basin-wide decisions and ensure that Tribal water rights are not treated as an afterthought while states negotiate the river’s future.



Article written by CRIT Media Reporter Ariana Romero