Considerations for Assigned Water after Expiration of the 2007 Guidelines
This report continues our multi‑year examination of Assigned Water (Intentionally Created Surplus) and its role in managing the Colorado River. Building on earlier analyses in both the Upper and Lower Basins, this paper — Considerations for Assigned Water after Expiration of the 2007 Guidelines—provides practical recommendations for shaping the next generation of Assigned Water programs.
Created in collaboration with leading researchers from the Utton Transboundary Resources Center at the University of New Mexico and the Center for Colorado River Studies at Utah State University, the report highlights how Assigned Water can remain a powerful tool for water managers — if policies strike the right balance between individual benefits with the collective good of the river.