Story perspectives

Arizona Faces 760k Acre-Feet Cut, Calls Plan Unacceptable

8/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

On August 1 2026 the Interior Department released a statement setting Colorado River water-use cuts through 2036.
The plan caps annual reductions at 3 million acre-feet for Lower Basin states, with Arizona facing about 760,000 acre-feet.
Arizona officials called the cuts unacceptable, warning they could devastate communities and the state economy.
Phoenix, Gilbert and cities rely on backup supplies, engineering projects and the SWAP program, while a $5 billion tribal settlement is under negotiation.

1 of 1

Story summary

On August 1 2026 the Interior Department released a statement setting Colorado River water-use cuts through 2036.
The plan caps annual reductions at 3 million acre-feet for Lower Basin states, with Arizona facing about 760,000 acre-feet.
Arizona officials called the cuts unacceptable, warning they could devastate communities and the state economy.
Phoenix, Gilbert and cities rely on backup supplies, engineering projects and the SWAP program, while a $5 billion tribal settlement is under negotiation.