Pictured is a concrete-lined section of the All-American Canal. The canal lining was part of the 2003 Quantification Settlement Agreement, which reduced California’s use of the Colorado River down to its 4.4 million acre-foot allotment through a conservation-based focus. The QSA continues to stand as an example of California’s investment in conservation to support the Colorado River.

Story from the San Diego County Water Authority’s Water News Network

California water agencies that rely on the Colorado River on January 31, proposed a modeling framework for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to evaluate as it considers actions to help stabilize reservoir elevations and protect critical infrastructure to ensure the Colorado River system can continue to support 40 million people, nearly 6 million acres of agriculture, and Tribes across seven states and portions of Mexico.

The modeling framework outlines a constructive approach to achieve additional water use reductions while protecting infrastructure, prioritizing public

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U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton testifies during a June 14 hearing of the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources focused on the drought affecting the Southwestern U.S. and specifically the Colorado River. Commissioner Touton testified that as much as 2-million to 4-million acre-feet of conservation would be needed in 2023 as a short-term action to support water levels in Lake Mead and Lake Powell.

With the Colorado River hydrology continuing to decline, stakeholders on the river find themselves in the challenging position of having to think about both the near-term actions needed to protect the key reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, and the long-term operations of the river. With an eye toward the long-term operations, the Bureau of Reclamation has begun seeking public input ahead of the upcoming National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process to develop the next set of guidelines that will

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Wade Crowfoot, Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency, speaks virtually during the State Water Resources Control Board hearing on the status of the state’s restoration work at the Salton Sea held April 20. Crowfoot highlighted the progress of restoration projects but acknowledged there is more work that needs to be done.

As part of the 2017 Stipulated Order adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board), the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) must go before the Water Board annually to report on the progress of restoration work at the Salton Sea. CNRA is the agency charged with leading the state’s phased approach to restoration, known as the Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP). On April 20, the CNRA provided its latest report to the Water Board as outlined in the 2022 SSMP Annual Report. During a five-hour hearing, the Water Board voiced its support

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