Colorado River Negotiations Reach Impasse as February Deadline Looms
PHOENIX – Negotiations between the seven states that rely on the Colorado River are unlikely to yield a comprehensive agreement before a federal deadline of , according to Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs. While expressing cautious optimism about recent talks, Hobbs acknowledged a persistent impasse between the Upper and Lower Basin states.
The governor addressed a meeting of the Arizona Reconsultation Committee in Phoenix after returning from Washington, D.C., where she participated in discussions with federal water officials and governors from the seven states – Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Nevada.
“We were clearly at an impasse,” Hobbs said. “I feel like we’re at a place where we can start to move past that now.”
The Colorado River is facing a 26-year megadrought, driven by climate change, forcing states to address dwindling water supplies. The division between the Upper and Lower Basins remains a key obstacle to reaching a consensus.
Hobbs indicated that the Upper Basin states appeared more receptive to Arizona’s concerns. “For me, as the governor with the most skin in the game or most water on the table, I felt more heard by the Upper Basin than we’ve seen in the negotiation so far,” she stated.
Despite this perceived shift, Hobbs believes a full agreement by is unlikely, but states are “on a path to get a deal” by that date. Reaching a deal before the deadline would allow federal officials sufficient time to implement changes before the current rules expire in October.
Arizona’s top water negotiator, Tom Buschatzke, echoed Hobbs’ sentiment regarding a willingness to continue negotiations from the Upper Basin states. However, he also described a reluctance from those states to reduce water usage, even during dry periods, while the Lower Basin states make significant cuts.
“We’re doing 800,000 or 900,000 acre-feet a year of reductions,” Buschatzke said. “And you’re telling me you can’t do 50,000? You might not be able to do anything because it’s so dry? I just have a hard time wrapping my head around that outcome.” An acre-foot is defined as the amount of water needed to fill one acre of land to a height of one foot, generally enough for one to two households for a year.
Buschatzke acknowledged uncertainty about the consequences of missing the deadline, suggesting the federal government might grant additional time if states demonstrate progress toward a deal.
“They are pushing us hard to try to get to a consensus in concept if not a consensus in writing,” he said.
Compounding the urgency, snowpack levels in the Upper Basin are at a record low for early February, dating back to 1986, raising concerns about reservoir levels this summer. Hobbs and other officials have called on the federal government to utilize a strategic reserve of water in Upper Basin reservoirs to ensure Lower Basin states receive their legally allocated water supply.
