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Video: Western-Water News for the Week of May 26-May 31, 2025

Our video recap of water news for May 26 through May 31, 2025 is now available.

Rocky relief or rocky road? May drought report has mixed signals

Drought conditions worsened in Utah and western Colorado, while Arizona remains parched. California and Nevada stayed mostly stable in late May 2025.

Utah warns of summer strain on water supplies

Utah officials urge water conservation as summer begins, citing low snowpack, stressed southern rivers, and modest Great Salt Lake recovery.

Rural groundwater talks stall in Arizona; tensions rise

Arizona lawmakers clash over rural groundwater rules as Governor Hobbs shifts focus to direct community talks amid stalled legislation.

Historic water rights settlement for Tule River Tribe advances

The Tule River Tribe is set to secure 5,828 acre-feet of water annually under a new $902M federal settlement. The bill also transfers over 11,000 acres to tribal trust.

New River Project boosts public health and Salton Sea recovery

California completes New River project in Calexico, improving water quality and advancing Salton Sea restoration to protect public health and wildlife.

About the Author

Since 1995, Deborah has owned and operated LegalTech LLC with a focus on water rights. Before moving to Arizona in 1986, she worked as a quality control analyst for Honeywell and in commercial real estate, both in Texas. She learned about Arizona's water rights from the late and great attorney Michael Brophy of Ryley, Carlock & Applewhite. Her side interests are writing (and reading), Wordpress programming and much more.

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Helen c on New Mexico bill presses rules on oilfield wastewaterFebruary 6, 2026
One likes to hope the time will come, (soon), when these destructive corporations finally reap what they have sown.
Helen c on Alongside new groundwater rules, Arizona presses Fondomonte suitFebruary 6, 2026
I imagine we're going to see far more litigation as tech industry's excessive demands for water push up against the…
Helen c on How the Green River cut through the Uinta MountainsFebruary 6, 2026
Very interesting, Deborah. It makes you think twice about the hubris of humans over time attempting to re-engineer the earth…
Deborah on Gold mining prompts legal challenge over rare Nevada speciesJanuary 25, 2026
Ha! Good question. They want the opportunity to investigate the population of these species.
Deborah on Utah faces worrisome drought conditionsJanuary 25, 2026
It will be a dire situation, Callie. They've been looking at different options.