Posts

Opinion: Colorado River Deal Forever Changes the Price of Water in the West

/in , , /by /CalMattersby Grayson Zulauf

For the first time in this drought-stricken century, a new price for water in the West has been set – and it’s 25 times higher than what farmers have paid for the last 75 years.

Arizona, Nevada and California recently agreed to reduce their water consumption from the Colorado River by 13% through 2026. The federal government will pay their irrigation districts, Native American tribes and cities $521 for each acre-foot of water they don’t use.

Full Story

Despite Deal, Colorado River’s Long-Term Water Crisis Remains Unsolved

/in , , , /by /Los Angeles Timesby Ian James and Hayley Smith

A proposed deal for California, Arizona and Nevada to take less water from the over-tapped Colorado River depends heavily on $1.2 billion in federal funds, which will pay farmers and others who agree to give up some of their supply over the next three years.

Full Story

How California Averted Painful Water Cuts and Made a Colorado River Deal

/in , , /by /Politico by Camille Von Kaenel

 For months, California officials led by Gov. Gavin Newsom felt like they were at the bottom of a multistate dogpile in the closely-watched staredown over water rights across the American West.

Newsom and his top environmental aides viewed century-old laws as favoring them. And they tried to convince other states that California had already sacrificed by slashing its use.

Full Story

Colorado River Deal: What Does It Mean for California?

/in , /by /CalMattersby Alastair Bland

After nearly a year of intense negotiations, California, Nevada and Arizona reached a historic agreement today to use less water from the overdrafted Colorado River over the next three years. The states agreed to give up 3 million acre-feet of river water through 2026 — about 13% of the amount they receive. In exchange, farmers and other water users will receive compensation from the federal government.

Full Story