Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

Neighboring States Team Up To Share Colo. River During Drought

California and six other Colorado River states have a plan to share the dwindling resource during drought periods. More than 30 million people rely on the river. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has more.

Neighboring States Team Up To Share Colo. River During Drought

California and six other Colorado River states have a plan to share the dwindling resource during drought periods. More than 30 million people rely on the river. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has more.

The states filed their plan with the federal government. Officials say the long-debated pact represents the most comprehensive guidelines in the history of the Colorado River. The goal is to divide the water resource during periods of drought.

Advertisement

The proposal would let upper basin states -- Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming -- release less water downstream if drought continues. California, Arizona and Nevada would be allowed to augment their supplies with side agreements.

The Colorado River is in the middle of an eight-year drought. Water managers once doubted a lengthy drought could imperil the massive river system. But exploding growth in western states and dry conditions have drawn down the precious resource. Southern California homes and businesses along with Imperial Valley farms depend on that river water.

Ed Joyce, KPBS News.