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CRIT Manataba Messenger A publication of the CRIT Media Department. Visit https://critmanatabamessenger.com The Official Publication of the Colorado River Indian Tribes.

The Colorado River’s next operating plan is now official, but the larger fight over the river’s future is still unsettle...
09/04/2026

The Colorado River’s next operating plan is now official, but the larger fight over the river’s future is still unsettled.

On Aug. 21, the Department of the Interior finalized the 2027–2028 Operating Guidelines and Record of Decision for future Colorado River operations. The decision sets the near-term rules for Lake Powell and Lake Mead after the current operating agreements expire in 2026.

Under the plan, Arizona, California, and Nevada will reduce their use of Colorado River water by 1.25 million acre-feet each year in 2027 and 2028. If the Lower Basin states use their proposed sharing agreement, Arizona would take the largest reduction at 760,000 acre-feet per year. California would reduce use by 440,000 acre-feet, and Nevada would reduce use by 50,000 acre-feet.

The plan also calls for at least 700,000 acre-feet of additional voluntary conservation over the two-year period to help protect the system.

Arizona officials said the final decision gives the state some short-term certainty, but it does not resolve the longer-term issue. ADWR said the federal decision avoids the most severe near-term reductions that had been discussed earlier, but the larger framework for years three through 10 remains a concern.

KJZZ reported that Arizona will still take the biggest cuts under the new plan. The reductions are expected to affect Central Arizona Project supplies, which serve cities, farms, and some Tribal communities in central and southern Arizona. Central Arizona Project users are more exposed because CAP holds junior-priority Colorado River rights.

CRIT and other Tribal leaders also raised concerns about the federal process. ICT reported that the Colorado River Indian Tribes and the Gila River Indian Community pushed back on the federal plan, saying Tribal governments were not sufficiently included in the decision-making process. ICT reported that CRIT holds water rights to more than 23% of Arizona’s Colorado River allocation, making the Tribe one of the largest Colorado River water rights holders in the state.

Arizona Digital Free Press also reported that CRIT asked Reclamation to delay the Record of Decision to allow more time for review and government-to-government consultation. CRIT said decisions about Lake Powell and Lake Mead must respect senior water rights, federal trust responsibilities, and meaningful Tribal consultation.

The federal decision came as the river’s two largest reservoirs remained at historic lows. AP reported that Lake Powell hit a record low, threatening water and electricity supplies for millions of people. The low levels at Lake Powell and Lake Mead continue to raise concerns about hydropower, reservoir operations, and future water deliveries.

Those power concerns are tied directly to agriculture. The Arizona Farm Bureau reported that farmers are asking where they will turn if the hydropower they rely on becomes less available. Irrigation districts and farms depend on power to move water, and higher energy costs can increase the cost of producing crops.

Arizona cities are also preparing for more expensive water. Fox 10 reported that Colorado River cuts could drive up water prices as cities invest in infrastructure, wells, conservation programs, and alternative supplies. Gilbert has been one example. ABC15 reported that the town is preparing for less Colorado River water before expected 2027 cuts, including work to secure backup supplies and expand water infrastructure.

Arizona is also looking beyond conservation. KJZZ reported that a state agency advanced partnership projects with California and Mexico that could increase Arizona’s water supply. Those ideas include projects that would generate or conserve water elsewhere in exchange for benefits to Arizona’s Colorado River supply.

At the same time, KJZZ reported that Arizona’s water systems received a “C” grade from the American Society of Civil Engineers. The report said larger cities tend to be better prepared, while smaller and rural communities often face greater infrastructure challenges. That difference matters as shortage planning becomes more dependent on storage, treatment, wells, and delivery systems.

Together, the week’s reporting showed that the 2027–2028 plan gives the Lower Basin a short-term path, but not a complete solution. Arizona avoided the deepest immediate cuts, but still faces the largest reduction. CRIT and other Tribes are raising concerns about inclusion and senior rights. Reservoir levels remain low. Cities and farms are preparing for higher costs. The larger question of how the river will be managed after 2028 remains open.

For CRIT, this week’s Basin Brief is directly connected to senior water rights, Tribal sovereignty, and the future operation of the Colorado River system.

CRIT holds senior Colorado River rights, which places the Tribe in a different position than junior-priority users. But federal decisions about Lake Powell, Lake Mead, shortage rules, and conservation programs still shape the broader system where those rights are exercised.

The ICT and Arizona Digital Free Press reporting are especially important for the CRIT community because they focus on CRIT’s concerns with the federal process. The issue is not only how much water is reduced in 2027 and 2028. It is also whether Tribal governments with senior rights are meaningfully included before federal decisions are finalized.

The agriculture and hydropower reporting also matters because CRIT is a major agricultural water user along the Colorado River. If low reservoir levels affect power costs, pumping, deliveries, or agricultural planning, those issues can become part of the larger Basin conversation.

The city infrastructure reporting shows that water security depends on more than legal rights alone. Communities are investing in wells, treatment, storage, and conservation to prepare for less Colorado River water. For CRIT, senior rights remain central, but long-term planning, delivery systems, and local management are also important.

CRIT’s Water Code and Water Resiliency Act provide a local framework for managing Tribal water resources as Basin conditions change. The Tribe’s Personhood Resolution also reflects CRIT’s cultural and environmental connection to the Colorado River as a living system.



Written by CRIT Media Reporter Ariana Romero

A smaller Colorado River is forcing Western water users to answer a harder question: who is prepared, and who is not?Ear...
09/01/2026

A smaller Colorado River is forcing Western water users to answer a harder question: who is prepared, and who is not?

Early reports showed the river’s challenges from several angles. The headwaters are drying out, and Arizona is pushing back against the federal government’s post-2026 river plan. Cities are using federal money to conserve and build local resilience. Farmers and rural communities are facing uncertainty. Tribal Nations are also raising concerns about groundwater projects and the long history of being left out of major water decisions.

KJZZ reported that warming temperatures are reducing base flow in streams that feed the Colorado River. Base flow is the water in streams that does not come directly from rainfall. Much of it comes from groundwater and snowmelt. A study published in Earth’s Future found that base flow in Western streams has been declining since 1950, and researchers projected that headwater streams could see 45% to 65% less base flow by the end of the century if warming continues.

That matters because the Colorado River depends on those smaller mountain streams before the water reaches Lake Powell, Lake Mead, or the Lower Basin. If streamflow comes earlier in the year or drops during dry months, water managers have less reliability when demand is highest.

At the same time, Arizona continued to challenge the federal government’s Final Environmental Impact Statement for future Colorado River operations. KJZZ reported that Arizona’s top water official, Tom Buschatzke, warned Reclamation that the federal plan could cause “catastrophic harm” to Arizona. The state argued that the plan does not provide enough certainty and could allow deep Lower Basin cuts without resolving the broader conflict between the Upper and Lower basins.

KTAR reported similar concerns from Sarah Porter, director of Arizona State University’s Kyl Center for Water Policy. Porter said the federal framework focuses on protecting infrastructure and hydropower but does not put the Basin on a path to stability. She said cities may be able to reduce some impacts through conservation and advanced water purification, but Tribal and rural communities could feel deeper disruption, especially where agriculture is involved.

Cities are already moving to conserve more water. KJZZ reported that several Phoenix-area cities are working on agreements with the Bureau of Reclamation to leave Colorado River water in Lake Mead in exchange for federal funding. Glendale, Mesa, and Gilbert were among the cities discussed. KJZZ reported that Glendale previously left about one-third of its Colorado River water in Lake Mead, and Gilbert has a 10-year agreement that will bring nearly $17 million to the town for water-saving projects.

Gilbert is also expanding its water infrastructure. ABC15 reported that the town is planning to expand the Greenfield Water Reclamation Plant from 12 million gallons a day to 16 million gallons a day. The treated wastewater can be reused for irrigation or recharged underground, helping the town prepare for future growth and Colorado River uncertainty.

Groundwater remained another major issue. The University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center highlighted a study on water banking and groundwater security, finding that managed aquifer recharge and water banking can improve drought resilience when policies encourage long-term storage. The Arizona Attorney General’s Office also reported early results from a groundwater settlement with Riverview Dairy in Cochise County. The agreement includes funding for well drilling, water hauling, and groundwater access, along with commitments to reduce groundwater use over time.

Tribal groundwater concerns also reached court. ICT reported that the Fort Mojave and Chemehuevi Indian Tribes sued the Interior Department over the Cadiz groundwater project in the Mojave Desert. The project would pump groundwater from beneath the Mojave Trails National Monument and move it through a converted pipeline. Tribal leaders said the project threatens cultural, ecological, and sacred resources tied to the desert and its water.

Conditions upstream also showed the river’s physical stress. Aspen Journalism reported that extremely low flows in Colorado’s 15-mile reach affected boaters, irrigators, and endangered fish. The report said the reach, located between Palisade and the Gunnison River, is a chronically depleted section of the Colorado River and critical habitat for endangered fish.

Together, the week’s reporting showed that water security is no longer only about legal allocations. It is about timing, infrastructure, storage, groundwater protection, conservation funding, and whether communities have the resources to adapt.

What does this mean for CRIT?

CRIT holds senior Colorado River rights, which remain central to the Tribe’s position in Basin planning. But the reporting shows that water security also depends on infrastructure, storage, delivery systems, and meaningful inclusion in federal decision-making.

The KTAR reporting on Tribal and rural impacts is important because CRIT is both a sovereign Tribal Nation and a major agricultural water user along the Colorado River. The ICT reporting also shows how groundwater projects can raise Tribal concerns when water, land, wildlife, and cultural resources are connected.



Written by CRIT Media Reporter Ariana Romero

CRIT Responds to Colorado River Operations Decision as Tribal Water Rights Remain Central Concern(PARKER, Ariz.) The Col...
08/21/2026

CRIT Responds to Colorado River Operations Decision as Tribal Water Rights Remain Central Concern

(PARKER, Ariz.) The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) remains vigilant and recognizes the efforts brought forward in the release of the Record of Decision (ROD) for operations of Lake Powell and Lake Mead (2027–2036). The Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) is not imposing illegal water cuts on CRIT that it initially proposed in the draft EIS issued earlier this year.
CRIT recognizes the current water crisis impacts the millions of people who depend on the River including wildlife and natural habitats. CRIT’s own membership residing in the various towns, cities, states will be impacted by water shortages. Indeed, the Tribes’ deep-rooted connection to the River spans since time immemorial.
The ROD cites to formally include Tribal nations including CRIT in the Basin-wide consultation structure. CRIT has been seeking this for years and hopes the BOR keeps to their promise.
On behalf of the CRIT Tribal Council, Chairwoman Amelia Flores states, “The efforts of CRIT have made a difference. The numerous meetings and discussions between CRIT’s Tribal Council and the Bureau of Reclamation have clearly had an impact. In the ROD, the Bureau of Reclamation acknowledged they would follow the decree established in AZ v. California. This is of critical importance to CRIT, which holds the most senior Tribal rights in the Lower Basin.”
Tribal Council Member Tommy Drennan states, “We turn another page in this water crisis. We go forward to defend the river, our allocation, and the voice of our CRIT nation. It is progress, knowing that the US recognizes the need to work towards further solutions until the river recovers. It is progress to know there are no illegal reductions facing our allocation today. We will continue to do what we must to keep the river alive.”
Councilmember Raeanne Patch states, “Given the critical status of the river, tribal consultation is mandatory in every discussion and decision regarding the Colorado River.”
Councilmember Anisa Patch states, “As the river’s natural ability to replenish itself falls further behind, we continue defending our water allocations and traditional lifelines fully aware of the changed landscape ahead.”
Councilmember Tracey Quillen states, “I am proud of the work CRIT has done to bring us to this point, but our work is not finished. We remain vigilant in protecting our water and will continue working together to ensure that our rights are respected and protected for generations to come.”
The ROD preserves the legal status of CRIT’s water rights. It also clarified Reclamation will not rely on misdealing assumptions about CRIT’s water use in the FEIS (Final Environmental Impact Statement) regarding CRIT’s inability to entirely use its water resources.
However, the ROD also introduces a series of two-year operating frameworks under which additional reductions in water supply for central Arizona could be adopted if reservoir conditions worsen. As a result, CRIT will continue to proactively engage with Reclamation and other stakeholders throughout these successive two-year processes to fully protect CRIT’s water rights.
In November, the CRIT Tribal Council voted unanimously to proclaim Personhood Status for the Colorado River, acknowledging the Colorado River as a living entity whose health and well-being are intrinsically linked to the well-being of the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) members.
While the Tribal Council will stay engaged regarding CRIT’s water allocation, It will also continue to actively address the limitations in water delivery infrastructure which must be addressed by the federal government.
Flores added, “As this water crisis persists, CRIT continues conservation measures to preserve the life of the Colorado River.”

On August 7th, reports along the basin were mostly about Lake Mead’s record-low level becoming the clearest sign yet tha...
08/20/2026

On August 7th, reports along the basin were mostly about Lake Mead’s record-low level becoming the clearest sign yet that the Colorado River negotiations are no longer just about future planning.

CNN reported that Lake Mead, the nation’s largest reservoir, reached a new record low. The reservoir is a key part of the Colorado River system, supplying water to Arizona, California, Nevada, and Mexico while also supporting hydropower and downstream deliveries from Hoover Dam.

The new low came as Lower Basin states continue responding to Reclamation’s Final Environmental Impact Statement for future operations at Lake Powell and Lake Mead. Arizona Capitol Times reported that Arizona, California, and Nevada are bracing for possible reductions under the federal framework. The Lower Basin states have urged Reclamation to adopt their May proposal, which calls for 3.2 million acre-feet of water savings over two years, including 1.25 million acre-feet of binding reductions in both 2027 and 2028 and at least 700,000 acre-feet of additional conservation.

The federal plan has left Arizona leaders concerned that the state could face deeper reductions than it believes are fair. The Upper Basin states — Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and New Mexico — would not face the same mandatory cuts for now, which has added to the disagreement between the two basins.

Phoenix is also preparing for the possibility of a legal fight. ABC15 reported that the City of Phoenix has retained lawyers to help protect its Colorado River interests after the release of the federal plan. The Phoenix City Council met in executive session to discuss legal advice and possible options tied to post-2026 Colorado River operations.

The dispute is also reaching smaller parts of water management. KJZZ reported that Central Arizona Project leaders are questioning whether Arizona should keep helping pay for cloud seeding in the Rocky Mountains. CAP has helped fund upstream cloud seeding work since 2007 as part of a broader effort to add snow in key Colorado River watersheds.

The question now is political as much as technical. KJZZ reported that some CAP board members questioned why Arizona should keep funding work that may benefit Upper Basin states if those states are not required to take mandatory cuts. CAP staff said the program benefits the overall river system, even if it is difficult to track exactly how much of that water eventually reaches Arizona.

Environmental concerns also grew. CBS 5 Arizona’s Family reported that federal officials will not release cool water from Lake Powell this year to protect threatened native fish downstream in the Grand Canyon. The decision is meant to avoid putting additional pressure on already strained hydropower production at Glen Canyon Dam.

The issue involves the humpback chub, a threatened native fish in the Grand Canyon. Cool water releases in 2024 and 2025 helped prevent smallmouth bass from spawning below Glen Canyon Dam. Smallmouth bass are an invasive predator that can threaten native fish when warmer water allows them to survive and reproduce downstream.

The decision shows how low reservoir levels can force tradeoffs between power generation, river ecology, and species protection. As Lake Powell declines, federal officials are trying to protect hydropower and dam operations while also managing risks to native fish and downstream habitat.

Conditions in the Upper Basin are also strained. The Colorado Sun reported that Blue Mesa Reservoir, the largest reservoir in Colorado, is about one-quarter full. Federal officials are watching reservoirs like Blue Mesa because they may be used to help protect Lake Powell from dropping to critical levels under the new federal framework.

KUNR reported that summer monsoon storms may ease drought in some parts of the West, but they will not solve the Colorado River’s larger supply problem. The river depends heavily on mountain snowpack and runoff, and one season of rain does not erase years of declining reservoir storage.

The reports show the Basin moving deeper into uncertainty. Lake Mead has reached a new record low. Phoenix is preparing legal options. CAP is questioning whether cooperation across the Basin still makes sense without shared mandatory cuts. Federal officials are choosing hydropower protection over cool water releases for threatened fish. Upper Basin reservoirs are also under stress.

The next major federal step remains the Record of Decision and operating guidelines. Those documents will determine how the post-2026 framework is applied, including operations for 2027 and 2028.

What does this mean for CRIT?

Reports show why Colorado River planning cannot be separated from reservoir levels, legal rights, infrastructure, ecology, and cooperation between governments.

CRIT holds senior Colorado River rights, so the Tribe is not in the same position as junior-priority Central Arizona Project users. Still, the federal framework for Lake Powell and Lake Mead affects the larger river system where those rights are exercised.

The Phoenix legal response and Lower Basin pushback show that Arizona water users are preparing to defend their positions as Reclamation finalizes future rules. For CRIT, that makes it important to follow how federal decisions account for senior rights, Tribal governments, and existing agreements.

The Grand Canyon fish reporting also connects to CRIT’s Personhood Resolution. Low reservoir levels are not only a water delivery problem. They can change water temperature, affect native species, reduce hydropower, and alter the health of the river downstream.

The cloud seeding story shows another part of the same issue. Arizona has helped fund efforts to increase snowpack in faraway watersheds because the Colorado River begins in the mountains. But the current negotiations are testing whether Basin-wide cooperation can continue when mandatory reductions are not shared equally.

The Arizona Department of Water Resources announced that Director Tom Buschatzke will participate in PBS NewsHour's live...
08/19/2026

The Arizona Department of Water Resources announced that Director Tom Buschatzke will participate in PBS NewsHour's livestreamed "Tipping Point" town hall, where water leaders and experts from across the Colorado River Basin will discuss the challenges and future of post-2026 Colorado River operations.

Click this link to watch - https://www.youtube.com/live/i-J-eyPH8ec

08/14/2026

Aug. 5 reporting showed how the federal Colorado River framework could reach beyond city water supplies and into Tribal Nations, agriculture, recreation, and the Grand Canyon itself.
KTAR reported that lower flows through the Grand Canyon are creating problems for wildlife and commercial boating. The report said commercial boating on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon is a nearly $50 million-a-year industry. Lower releases from Glen Canyon Dam, combined with dry conditions, have reduced flows through one of the river’s most visible stretches.
The concern is not only economic. KTAR reported that warmer, lower water has also created conditions that can affect river ecology, including invasive smallmouth bass and algae growth. The Grand Canyon is part of the same river system that supplies cities, farms, Tribal Nations, and ecosystems throughout the Basin.
Tribal Nations are also watching the federal framework closely. KNAU reported that the new Colorado River plan is creating concern and uncertainty for some Tribal Nations in Arizona. The report noted that some Tribes hold senior rights to Colorado River water, but the effect of future federal rules may vary depending on each Tribe’s legal settlement, infrastructure, and connection to the Central Arizona Project.
KNAU reported that some Tribal water rights in Arizona remain unquantified, including parts of the Navajo Nation’s claims. The report also discussed the White Mountain Apache Tribe, whose settlement includes Central Arizona Project water. Tribal leaders and legal experts told KNAU that future CAP reductions could raise questions for Tribes that rely on CAP deliveries or lease CAP water.
For Arizona cities, the picture is different. KJZZ reported that many cities will likely receive less Colorado River water, but they do not expect taps to run dry. Cities have spent years building backup supplies through groundwater storage, Salt River supplies, reclaimed water, infrastructure projects, and water-transfer agreements.
KJZZ reported that Gilbert is drilling new wells to access groundwater. Tucson has also pointed to decades of planning. KGUN reported that Tucson has used reclaimed water, protected groundwater, imported Colorado River water, and stored water underground to prepare for future reductions. Tucson Water officials said the city is not expected to run out of water, but water will likely become more expensive to provide.
Other communities are also reviewing their options. CBS 5 Arizona’s Family reported that towns and cities are looking at how they will get water if Colorado River cuts move forward. Surprise has said its water future remains secure despite uncertainty, while Scottsdale has said it can maintain water service because of its mix of supplies, stored water, and long-term planning.
Agriculture remains one of the clearest pressure points. Fox 10 reported that Arizona farmers warned Colorado River cuts could raise prices on food and everyday goods. The report focused on Caywood Farms near Casa Grande, which has already lost Central Arizona Project water from earlier shortages and is also dealing with limited local canal supplies.
Arizona Department of Agriculture Director Paul Brierley told Fox 10 that Yuma produces a large share of the leafy greens sold in the United States and Canada during winter. He warned that deeper cuts could affect rural counties that depend on agriculture.
The broader federal framework remains unsettled. Aspen Public Radio reported that Reclamation’s plan is meant to keep Lake Powell and Lake Mead infrastructure operating while the states continue trying to reach a long-term agreement. High Country News reported that the framework could be updated every two years and could require steep Lower Basin cuts, while Upper Basin states rely on voluntary conservation for now.
The Aug. 5 reports show the Colorado River issue moving into several different parts of life in the West. Cities are preparing backup supplies. Farmers are warning about crop and price impacts. Tribal Nations are asking how their rights and infrastructure will be treated. Grand Canyon outfitters and river advocates are watching flows, wildlife, and recreation.
The next step remains the federal Record of Decision and operating guidelines. Those documents will show how the framework is applied for 2027 and 2028, including how much water Arizona, California, and Nevada may be required to conserve.
What does this mean for CRIT?
KNAU’s reporting shows that Tribal Nations may be affected differently depending on whether their rights are quantified, how their water is delivered, and whether they rely on Central Arizona Project supplies. CRIT holds senior Colorado River rights directly along the river, which places the Tribe in a different position than Tribes or users that depend on junior-priority CAP deliveries.
The Grand Canyon reporting also connects to CRIT’s Personhood Resolution. Lower flows, warmer water, invasive species, and recreation impacts show that river management is not only about water deliveries. It also affects ecosystems, cultural connections, and the health of the river itself.
The agriculture reporting is also relevant because CRIT is a major agricultural water user along the Colorado River. As other Arizona farms respond to cuts, higher costs, and uncertain supplies, agriculture will remain central to Basin discussions.
For CRIT, the federal framework is important to follow because future rules may influence reservoir operations, Tribal inclusion, conservation programs, agricultural planning, and river health. CRIT’s Water Code and Water Resiliency Act provide a local framework for managing Tribal water resources as conditions change.



Article written by CRIT Media Reporter Ariana Romero

Arizona’s Aug. 4 water coverage moved from the federal proposal itself to what the cuts could mean on the ground.KJZZ re...
08/13/2026

Arizona’s Aug. 4 water coverage moved from the federal proposal itself to what the cuts could mean on the ground.

KJZZ reported that Phoenix-area cities will likely receive less Colorado River water under the federal framework, but city officials do not expect taps to run dry. Water managers said many cities have spent years preparing through underground storage, backup supplies, conservation, infrastructure projects, and water-sharing agreements.

The impact will not be the same everywhere. Some cities depend more heavily on Colorado River water than others. Some have access to Salt River supplies, groundwater, stored water, or recycled water. Others have fewer options and may face higher costs to secure replacement supplies.

Gilbert is one example. KJZZ reported that the town has been drilling new wells to access groundwater supplies. City water officials said communities are not running out of water, but the cost of providing it is increasing as supplies become harder to access and infrastructure needs grow.

CBS 5 Arizona’s Family also reported that towns such as Cave Creek are weighing options as Colorado River cuts approach. Cave Creek receives about 95% of its water through the Central Arizona Project, making it more exposed than cities with larger water portfolios. Options under review include water exchanges, groundwater from the Harquahala Basin, and future Salt River Project or Bartlett Dam expansion opportunities.

Tucson said it is also preparing. KGUN reported that Tucson has relied on long-term planning, reclaimed water, groundwater protection, and underground storage of imported Colorado River water. Tucson Water officials said the city has worked for decades to build a buffer against future cuts.

Agriculture remains one of the biggest concerns. Fox 10 reported that Arizona farmers warned deeper Colorado River cuts could raise prices for food and everyday goods. The report focused on farms already affected by earlier cuts and dry local supplies. Arizona Department of Agriculture Director Paul Brierley said Yuma produces a large share of the leafy greens sold in the United States and Canada during the winter months.

The Arizona Farm Bureau reported that Colorado River water is no longer as certain for Arizona as it once was. The article said the federal framework creates some structure for the next decade, but major questions remain about how cuts will be applied after the first two years.

AMWUA reported that the federal plan may buy Arizona time, but it does not solve the long-term problem. The organization said Central Arizona Project users face the highest risk under the 10-year framework because CAP holds junior-priority Colorado River rights. AMWUA also said cities are preparing through new water sources, treatment plant upgrades, advanced water purification, wells, underground storage, and conservation programs.

The federal plan is also drawing reaction from other water users. KYMA reported that the Imperial Irrigation District in California is seeking to protect its senior water rights as the new Colorado River operating plan moves forward. IID said future rules should continue recognizing California’s senior rights under the Law of the River.

High Country News reported that the federal framework could leave room for continued negotiations or future legal fights. The article said the plan would allow operations to be updated every two years and could require steep cuts in the Lower Basin, while Upper Basin states would rely on voluntary conservation for now.

The Aug. 4 reporting shows Arizona entering a more practical phase of shortage planning. Cities are not expecting immediate water outages, but they are preparing for more expensive and complicated supplies. Farms are warning about crop and economic impacts. CAP users remain at higher risk because of priority. Smaller communities with fewer backup supplies may face harder choices.

The next federal step is the Record of Decision and the operating guidelines for 2027 and 2028. Those documents will show how the framework will be applied in the near term and how much water Arizona, California, and Nevada may be required to conserve.

What does this mean for CRIT?

CRIT holds senior Colorado River rights, which places the Tribe in a different position than many users that rely on junior-priority CAP water. Still, federal operating rules, CAP reductions, city water deals, and agricultural impacts can shape the broader water policy landscape around the Tribe.

The reporting also shows that having water on paper is not the same as being able to use it easily. Cities are investing in wells, pipelines, underground storage and treatment systems because access and delivery become more important when supplies shrink.

That point connects directly to CRIT’s long-term planning. Senior rights remain central, but they are strongest when supported by infrastructure, local water management, and the ability to put water to use for homes, agriculture, and future generations.

The agricultural reporting is also relevant because CRIT is a major agricultural water user along the Colorado River. As farmers across Arizona respond to cuts and higher costs, agriculture will remain part of the larger Basin discussion.

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