December 20, 2024
News: Divorce Might Be on the Horizon 
While no one has resorted to rigging the chandelier, which is good news, it is notable that the Upper and Lower Basin delegates chose to appear on separate panels at the annual Colorado River Water Users’ Association meeting in Vegas this month. That was unusual. All seem to agree we can do better, but desiring reconciliation is different from achieving it. Arizona’s Tom Buschatzke noted that a federally appointed mediator might be useful, but who could come close to Danny Devito’s aplomb?
News: The States are Raising War Chests 
To that point, at least two states are raising money to pay lawyers for potential litigation. “I have to do my due diligence for all potential outcomes,” said Mr. Buchatzke about his request for $1 million. The Colorado Water Conservation Board bested Arizona’s sum with a $2 million request. It was difficult to figure out what the other states have set aside for the purpose, but regardless, we don’t think these amounts would last very long. Mr. Jackson’s services are pricey and dicey. If this looks to you like a bad movie, you’re not wrong.
News: The Bureau Released its NEPA Alternatives for Post-2026 Operations
There’s something for everyone in the alternatives package, that includes portions of the submissions from the Upper Basin, Lower Basin and Tribal nations. Yet, apparently no one liked the way the alternatives were pieced together: an arm from Wyoming, a leg from California, an ear from Colorado and a brain from Arizona. “Colorado continues to stand firmly behind the Upper Division States’ Alternative,” said Ms. Mitchell, while Mr. Buschatzke said he was “disappointed that Reclamation chose to create alternatives, rather than to model the Lower Basin state alternative in its entirety.”
News: We Used it All Up 
“Drawdown of the Colorado River’s reservoirs now slightly exceeds the amount of gain that occurred during the 2024 snowmelt season” said Utah State University researcher Jack Schmidt in his latest blog. Meanwhile, snowpack looks…meh.
News: The Yavapai-Apache Nation, the Salt River Project, and the Towns of Camp Verde and Cottonwood Approved the Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Agreement
This settlement pertains to the portion of the Colorado River that—extraordinarily irritating for Colorado though it might be—belongs exclusively to Arizona because the high court said so. Settlement of water rights claims among these parties who all share the Verde River would provide enormous benefits to the Yavapai-Apache Nation, Verde Valley communities and those of us downstream in Phoenix who would appreciate it if the river could continue to reach our reservoirs. Yet, like the Navajo-Hopi-San Juan Southern Paiute settlement, it must get through Congress during an uncertain time.
News: A New Administration Will Take the Reins 
We wish to take this opportunity to thank the many amazing people of the outgoing administration for their diligent efforts to get very hard things done. While there were disappointments and strife, there were also meaningful achievements. Once you enter negotiations on the Colorado River, no one ever really leaves; it’s like the Hotel California in that regard. So, we assume we’ll be seeing you at CRWUA next year.
News: North Dakota is the Most Important State in the Colorado River Basin 
Which state, Tribe or industry is besties with North Dakota? What will the next administration do? Who will be Commissioner? We can’t wait to find out.
News: The Kyl Center for Water Policy has stuff you should explore!
- Read our explainer on the Northern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement.
- Explore our paper Enduring Solutions on the Colorado River.
- Try our Colorado River Story Map, that explains all things shortage in Arizona.
- Read our paper on Colorado River Shortage Impacts to Tap Water Deliveries in Central Arizona, that details where major water providers get their tap water and how they will continue to meet tap water needs under shortage conditions. Our Shortage Impact Calculators might also be helpful.