"The federal government on Monday declared a first-ever water shortage on the Colorado River, announcing mandatory cutbacks next year that will bring major challenges for Arizona farmers and reduce the water allotments of Nevada and Mexico.
The declaration of a shortage by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has been anticipated for months and was triggered by the spiraling decline of Lake Mead, which stores water used by Arizona, Nevada, California and Mexico.
The reservoir near Las Vegas has fallen to its lowest levels since Hoover Dam was built in the 1930s and is continuing to drop after years of chronic overuse and drought intensified by climate change. It now stands at just 35% of full capacity.
To try to prevent Lake Mead from falling to critically low levels, state officials from Arizona, California and Nevada announced that they've begun meeting to discuss potential additional steps, which could include more water cuts."
Ian James and Zayna Syed report for the Arizona Republic August 16, 2021.
SEE ALSO:
"Megadrought Spurs First-Ever Federal Colorado River Cutbacks" (E&E News)
"In a First, U.S. Declares Shortage on Colorado River, Forcing Water Cuts" (New York Times)
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