Washington: US federal officials announced Friday that California, Nevada, and Arizona will face significant reductions in Colorado River water allocations over the next two years as authorities respond to a prolonged drought affecting the basin, CBS News reported. The decision marks a critical step in managing water resources amidst a challenging environmental crisis impacting millions.

According to Anadolu Agency, under the Bureau of Reclamation's plan, the three states will collectively reduce water use by 1.25 million acre-feet annually, with the possibility of deeper cuts depending on future conditions. Arizona will bear the largest reductions, while Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and New Mexico will not face cuts for now. Additionally, Mexico will reduce its water intake by 250,000 acre-feet under a US-Mexico treaty.

Interior Department Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Andrea Travnicek emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, "We've been in this 26-year prolonged drought period. We continue to see a prolonged drought in our future. So continuing to work together as a whole within the basin is going to be extremely important."

The Colorado River is a vital water source for an estimated 35 million to 40 million people, according to the Bureau of Reclamation. Federal officials highlighted that the current rules governing the river expire in October, while the seven basin states have yet to reach a long-term agreement on sharing its water.

Officials reported that the basin experienced its lowest snowpack on record last winter, intensifying pressure on agriculture, industry, wildlife, hydropower production, and communities dependent on the river. Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzke commented on the reductions, noting that they "will provide substantial stability" for 2027 and 2028 as negotiations continue on a longer-term framework.

California's chief Colorado River negotiator, JB Hamby, described the agreement as providing "some badly needed near-term certainty at a moment of extraordinary risk," but stressed that it is "a bridge, not a permanent solution."