US Officials to Review Deal on Sharing Colorado River Water

Federal water managers are starting to review a crucial 2007 agreement for seven Western states to share drought-diminished water supplies from the Colorado River ahead talks about revising and renewing it beginning in 2026.

U.S. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt said Friday that he wants a report next December.

The 2007 guidelines established a schedule of water cutbacks to states if levels keep falling at two key reservoirs.

The review comes as the states are enacting a separate drought contingency plan signed this year.

It has Arizona and Nevada committed to taking less water from the river in a bid to prop up reservoir levels and avoid more severe cuts in the 2007 guidelines.