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Arizona Officials Warn of Colorado River Compact Crisis

2/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Arizona water leaders warn that the 1922 Colorado River Compact could be violated as soon as 2026 due to snowpack and stalled talks on water cuts.
Lake Mead is currently only one-third full.
The Upper Basin states must deliver a rolling average of 75 million acre-feet to the Lower Basin, but release talks are stalled.
Projections show Lake Mead could fall to 1,036.5 feet by November 2027, prompting federal intervention.

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Story summary

Arizona water leaders warn that the 1922 Colorado River Compact could be violated as soon as 2026 due to snowpack and stalled talks on water cuts.
Lake Mead is currently only one-third full.
The Upper Basin states must deliver a rolling average of 75 million acre-feet to the Lower Basin, but release talks are stalled.
Projections show Lake Mead could fall to 1,036.5 feet by November 2027, prompting federal intervention.