Overview

• The August 2025 24-Month Study requires Arizona to cut 18 percent, Nevada 7 percent and Mexico 5 percent of their Colorado River allotments while California remains exempt under senior rights.
• Lake Powell is projected to start 2026 roughly 33 feet lower than this year and the Bureau warns one more dry year could push it below power-generation thresholds by December 2026.
• Seven basin states, 30 tribal nations and Mexico are racing to finalize post-2026 operating guidelines by federal mid-November and mid-February deadlines or face possible intervention from the Interior Department.
• The National Park Service will close the Wahweap Main Launch Ramp on August 18 and relocate the Rainbow Bridge dock on August 25 as receding waters reduce recreational access at Lake Powell.
• Experts caution that current voluntary conservation efforts will not sustain the river system and urge a shift to supply-based allocations to prevent legal battles such as a compact call.