05/07/2026
Arizona could receive drought relief through a proposed agreement that would allow unused Colorado River water tied to San Diego County to be transferred to Arizona and Nevada. The deal is possible because San Diego's desalination infrastructure has created a surplus water supply, reducing its reliance on the Colorado River. If approved, it would mark a historic first: a large-scale interstate water trade involving Colorado River rights. As Lake Mead and Lake Powell continue facing pressure from drought and overuse, water managers across the Southwest are searching for new ways to stretch every drop.
