- California water users added 1.2 million acre-feet in 2 years.
- Efforts raised Lake Mead’s elevation by about 16 feet.
- Actions exceeded 75% of California’s pledge ahead of schedule.
December 11, 2024 – Earlier this month, California’s Colorado River Board 
announced a remarkable achievement: over the past two years, they have voluntarily conserved more than 1.2 million acre-feet of water—enough to raise Lake Mead’s elevation by a stunning 16 feet. This achievement highlights a significant step forward in protecting the West’s most vital water resource amid ongoing drought and uncertainty.
Surpassing Early Conservation Targets.
In late 2022, California agencies made a bold promise: collectively add 1.6 million acre-feet of water to Lake Mead by the end of 2026. In just two years—2023 and 2024—they have already reached 75% of that goal, contributing 700,000 acre-feet in 2023 and another 500,000 acre-feet this year. With only 400,000 acre-feet left to meet their total commitment, California agencies and tribes are on track to exceed their original pledge.
The conservation efforts have benefited Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States, and the entire Colorado River system. Stabilizing Lake Mead helps reduce downstream pressure and improve coordinated operations upstream, easing the burden on Lake Powell releases.
Who’s Involved?
A wide range of partners contributed to this success. The Bard Water District, Coachella Valley Water District, Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe, Imperial Irrigation District (IID), Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Palo Verde Irrigation District, San Diego County Water Authority, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation worked together to make it happen. Their investments included on-farm conservation, voluntary land fallowing, groundwater recharge curtailment, turf removal programs, and more efficient urban water use.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation supported these efforts through the Lower Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program, funded by a portion of the Inflation Reduction Act’s $4 billion set aside for drought relief. On December 4, 2024, Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton joined state agency leaders during the Colorado River Water Users Association conference to acknowledge these accomplishments and underscore the importance of collective action.
Voices from the Field.
“Every user, sector, state, and Basin must do their part to protect this river. No one has shown that more than California’s cities, farms, and tribes,” said JB Hamby, Chairman of the Colorado River Board of California and Colorado River Commissioner for California.
Other leaders echoed this sentiment. “The amount of water California has conserved over the past two years showcases the remarkable power of collective action,” said Deven Upadhyay, Interim General Manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.
IID’s General Manager, Jamie Asbury, noted the district’s conservation success: “Over the last two years IID has left approximately 350,000 acre-feet of conserved water in Lake Mead, adding nearly five feet of elevation.” By year-end, IID’s 2024 efforts are expected to surpass 660,000 acre-feet, with more planned through 2026.
Tribal representatives also emphasized the cultural and ancestral significance of the river. “We have relied on the River from time immemorial and care for it as it has cared for us,” said President Jordan Joaquin of the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribal Council. “We are proud to participate with our partners in California and at the Bureau of Reclamation in contributing to these important efforts.”
Long-Term Sustainability for the Southwest.
These measures continue a legacy of conservation in California. Since 2002, the state’s urban and agricultural users have steadily reduced annual consumption by 800,000 acre-feet, thanks to investments in efficient irrigation, canal lining, seasonal fallowing, and city-wide turf replacement programs.
This ongoing commitment to conservation comes at a critical time. The Colorado River—lifeblood of over 40 million people, 30 Tribal Nations, 5.5 million acres of farmland, and valuable ecosystems—has been stressed by a 20% decline in flows compared to the 20th century average. The actions taken over the past two years serve as a model for the entire Basin, demonstrating how cooperation, innovation, and determined action can help ensure water security.
As the seven Basin states, tribal governments, and federal agencies collaborate on a post-2026 operations plan, California’s example shows what is possible. Working together, everyone involved can help stabilize the Colorado River system, safeguarding its waters for future generations.
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