New Colorado River Water Cuts Could Impact Yuma-Area Irrigation Districts

YUMA, Ariz. — New federal guidelines for the Colorado River will bring additional water reductions beginning in 2027, with Arizona expected to take the largest share of the cuts.

The changes come as major Colorado River reservoirs remain near historic lows and the region continues to deal with prolonged drought.

The federal government has established a new 10-year framework for Colorado River operations.

Under the plan, operating guidelines will be developed in two-year periods, allowing water managers to adjust to changing conditions.

For 2027 and 2028, Lower Basin states face a combined reduction of 1.25 million acre-feet of Colorado River water each year.

Arizona's share is expected to be about 760,000 acre-feet, the largest reduction among the three Lower Basin states.

California is expected to account for about 440,000 acre-feet, while Nevada's share is about 50,000 acre-feet.

The new water rules could eventually affect several irrigation districts in the Yuma area.

Tom Davis with the Yuma County Water Users Association says the area's lower-priority water users could face shortage allocations if drought conditions continue.

“The next Priority Three districts are the irrigation districts in the Yuma area... Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation District, Yuma Mesa, Yuma Irrigation District and North Gila. They will eventually, if the shortage and drought continues, they'll probably get hit for shortage allocations.”

Davis says the Yuma Valley has Priority One water rights, which provides some protection from immediate water cuts.

However, he says continued drought could eventually affect water users across Arizona.

Local water users have also taken steps to conserve Colorado River water.

Davis says Yuma-area users have reduced diversions in recent years, helping leave additional water in Lake Mead.

That conservation could help lessen the immediate impact of the ongoing shortage, but water managers continue to face difficult decisions as reservoir levels remain low.

The Colorado River supplies water to more than 40 million people across the Southwest and supports communities, agriculture and industries throughout the region.

The river also provides water for millions of acres of farmland and plays an important role in hydropower production.

The new federal guidelines are scheduled to take effect in 2027.

Water managers will continue working on longer-term agreements as they prepare for future Colorado River conditions.