May 2, 2026 – Maven’s Notebook
Arizona, California, and Nevada have put forward a plan to stabilize the Colorado River through 2028, responding to record-low inflows and declining reservoir levels at Lake Powell and Lake Mead.
The proposal builds on an earlier commitment of 1.25 million acre-feet in annual reductions by adding an expanded conservation program, bringing total projected water savings to up to 3.2 million acre-feet through 2028.
The plan addresses coordinated operations across both basins and calls for federal partnership to implement key elements. The Imperial Irrigation District expressed support while emphasizing it has made no binding commitments, and that any participation must protect its senior water rights and account for the Salton Sea. The Lower Basin states also signaled openness to the Upper Basin’s call for mediation, but stressed that current dry conditions require immediate, verifiable water reductions from all states now.
Salton Sea Coalition 
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