-
Wyoming
Each year, Wyoming uses about 740 million cubic meters (600,000 acre-feet) of water from the basin, which is less than the state is entitled to use. The water goes primarily for growing crops that feed livestock and secondarily for industries and municipalities.
The Wyoming State Engineer’s Office oversees the state’s Colorado River Basin obligations. Its top priority for the future is ensuring that the water from the basin the state is entitled to (but currently is not using) will be available for future needs Wyoming may face, such as increased energy production or demand from agriculture or municipalities.
Related Article: Wyoming Focuses on Future Uses of Water from Colorado River -
Utah
In 2010, Utah expects to receive about 1,725 million cubic meters (1.4 million acre-feet) of water from the Colorado River. Agriculture consumes the largest amount of water in the state, followed by residential and industrial use.
The Utah State Division of Water Resources oversees the state’s obligations for managing the basin and helps to balance competing water demands from the state’s growing population. The demands include recreational water use and energy production needs.
In the future, Utah’s Lake Powell pipeline project will divert water from Lake Powell to one of the state’s fastest developing areas.
Related Article: Utah Manages Competing Demands for Water from Colorado River -
Mexico
Under the Mexican Water Treaty of 1944, Mexico is allotted 1,850 million cubic meters (1.5 million acre-feet) of Colorado River water annually. This water is used primarily for agricultural irrigation in the Mexicali Valley and secondarily for drinking water in the cities of Mexicali and Tijuana.
The Mexican Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission oversees Mexico’s Colorado River Basin obligations. For the future, Mexico is looking for new sources of water, such as by removing salt from ocean water and by using more efficient irrigation techniques.
Related Article: Mexico Balances Competing Demands for Colorado River Water -
American Indian Tribes
Each year, 10 American Indian tribes receive a total of almost 1,233 million cubic meters (1 million acre-feet) of water from the Colorado River. This water is used mainly for irrigating land to grow alfalfa, wheat and cotton.
Each tribe is responsible for managing its own water resources and negotiates directly with the U.S. federal government.
Challenges for the tribes include protecting their water rights and investigating options for using them in ways that are most beneficial.
Related Article: American Indian Tribes Have Top Priority for Colorado River Water -
Colorado
Colorado uses up to 3,207 million cubic meters (2.6 million acre-feet) of water from the Colorado River Basin annually, which is less than the state is entitled to use. About half of the water is for agriculture and the rest is for cities, towns and industries.
The Colorado Water Conservation Board has the responsibility to oversee the state’s water planning and compliance with the Colorado River Compact.
One challenge for Colorado is to develop water supplies for growing metropolitan areas in an environmentally responsible manner while not exceeding the state’s allocation from the Colorado River.
Related Article: Colorado Needs Water for Agriculture, Energy Development -
Nevada
Nevada is allocated 370 million cubic meters (300,000 acre-feet) from the Colorado River — the smallest allocation of any state. This water is designated for homes, industries and businesses in the Las Vegas area.
The Colorado River Commission of Nevada is responsible for protecting the state’s interests in Colorado River water and in the hydroelectric power the river provides to the state.
To live within its limited water supply, Nevada is working to improve the conservation efforts of homes and businesses in outside lawn watering and indoor water use.
Related Article: Nevada Relies on Colorado River for Las Vegas’ Needs -
Arizona
Arizona's annual allocation from the Colorado River is 3,454 million cubic meters (2.8 million acre-feet). Most of this water is used for agriculture, with a small percentage going to municipal and industrial uses.
The Arizona Department of Water Resources is charged with protecting and managing Arizona’s allocation of Colorado River water.
The potential for future water shortages from the Colorado River is of critical concern to Arizona, as recent decisions have determined that Arizona would receive less water for itself, and on behalf of California, under certain shortage circumstances.
Related Article: Arizona Prepares for Possibility of Future Water Shortages -
California
California is allocated 5,427 million cubic meters (4.4 million acre-feet) of water from the Colorado River each year. Most of this water goes to irrigate agricultural land and a portion is used for municipal drinking water.
The Colorado River Board of California represents the state in negotiations regarding Colorado River management.
The state’s top priority is to continue to work with the other Colorado River Basin states and the U.S. federal government to meet California’s critical water needs by more effectively managing water in the Colorado River Basin system and through innovative programs.
Related Article: Water, Power from Colorado River Vital to California's Economy
-
New Mexico
Each year, New Mexico receives approximately 800 million cubic meters (642,000 acre-feet) of water from the Colorado River. Nearly 90 percent of this water irrigates farmland, and the rest goes to homes, ranches, businesses and industries.
The New Mexico Interstream Commission supervises the state’s water planning and compliance with the Colorado River Compact. In the future, this oversight will include securing funding for and constructing a $1 billion pipeline to provide drinking water for the Navajo Indian Nation from the San Juan River (a Colorado River tributary).
Related Article: New Mexico Looks to Future Use of Colorado River Water
