Overview

• Negotiations remain at an impasse over how to apportion mandatory cuts, with Lower Basin officials urging Upper Basin states to share in reductions.
• The new water year that began October 1 has increased urgency as negotiators work toward a public draft of post‑2026 rules by February 14, 2026.
• Ted Cooke’s nomination to lead the Bureau of Reclamation was withdrawn, leaving acting leadership under David Palumbo that critics say has limited leverage.
• Environmental groups released a report condemning closed‑door talks and criticized the Trump administration for providing no recent public updates on the federal planning process.
• A new study warns Lake Mead and Lake Powell could face future ‘dead pool’ risks without larger region‑wide cutbacks, with reservoirs currently about one‑third full.