Good evening and welcome to today’s top U.S. breaking news.
The Colorado River water crisis is deepening as reservoirs across the American Southwest fall to historic lows.
Lake Mead has dropped to approximately 1,040.4 feet, its lowest level since the reservoir was filled nearly 90 years ago.
The Colorado River supplies water to roughly 40 million people across seven states, tribal nations, and Mexico.
Federal officials have proposed major reductions for Arizona, California, and Nevada as part of a new long-term water-management plan.
The proposal could require the three Lower Basin states to reduce water use by as much as 3 million acre-feet annually.
Arizona is expected to face some of the largest reductions under the federal proposal.
California and Nevada are also facing pressure as officials try to protect the river system and its reservoirs.
The crisis has been intensified by prolonged drought, extreme heat, low Rocky Mountain snowpack, and decades of heavy water demand.
Lake Powell is also at critically low levels, raising concerns about water deliveries and hydropower production.
The seven Colorado River Basin states have struggled to reach a long-term agreement over how the remaining water should be divided.
Federal officials are now moving forward with a post-2026 operating framework after the states failed to reach full consensus.
Farmers, cities, businesses, energy providers, and millions of residents could feel the consequences of future reductions.
The coming months could determine how the Southwest manages one of America’s most important water systems.
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