Arizona, California and Nevada would share cuts under federal proposal for Colorado River

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has released a federal proposal requiring Arizona, California, and Nevada to share mandatory water cuts from the Colorado River. Under the plan, four other states in the river basin would be spared from immediate reductions.

The proposed restrictions come as the Colorado River faces a historic water shortage driven by long-term drought. According to federal data, reservoirs along the river have dropped to levels not seen since 1957, necessitating emergency management of the vital water source.