The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement

Explainer | November 2025

This updated publication outlines a landmark water rights settlement involving the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe. The agreement addresses claims to the Colorado and Little Colorado Rivers and groundwater across northeastern Arizona, while establishing a reservation for the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe and authorizing over $5 billion in water infrastructure funding. With provisions for off-reservation water leasing, system conservation in Lake Powell, and enhanced water access for tens of thousands of Tribal and non-tribal residents, NAIWRSA represents a historic step toward equitable water management and legal certainty in the Colorado River Basin.