The Roundup: Colorado River crisis hits farms and small towns
Lake Powell nears a critical level while farms, ranches and small towns across the Colorado River Basin struggle with shrinking water supplies.
Tag: Colorado River Basin
Southern California's water agency struck a $65 million federal deal to leave water in a near-historic-low Lake Mead and protect Hoover Dam power generation.
Senate and House panels advanced the 2026 water projects bill last week, with drought, storage, and drinking water provisions that matter across the West.
The Roundup: Fire and drought squeeze the Colorado River Basin
Lake Powell is at 24% capacity, six major wildfires burn across the basin, and post-2026 Colorado River negotiations remain deadlocked.
Buy & Dry: Colorado law forces revegetation of dried-up farmland
Colorado's new buy-and-dry law requires water buyers to restore dried farmland. Each lost acre costs the region up to $1,601 annually.
The Colorado River system sits at just 34% capacity. Seven states have missed every deadline. The federal government now has until October to act.