WASHINGTON — Arizona could see its share of Colorado River water slashed by up to 77% if the seven basin states fail to reach an agreement on new allocation guidelines, a scenario that has become increasingly likely as negotiations remain deadlocked with just weeks before a federal deadline.
Queen Creek, spanning the Maricopa-Pinal county line in the southeast Phoenix metro area, is home to approximately 70,000 residents and is one of the fastest-growing communities in Arizona, with many residents commuting to employers such as Intel and Boeing in nearby Mesa.
The Bureau of Reclamation, which manages the river system, intends to release an updated plan by mid-July, with final operating guidelines expected in August. Under the current “no deal” federal proposal, Arizona would bear the heaviest burden of any state, losing up to 760,000 acre-feet annually. Nevada would see a 6% reduction, while the other five states would experience no cuts.
Arizona gets 36% of its water from the Colorado River, 41% from groundwater, 18% from in-state rivers, and 5% from reclaimed water, according to the Arizona Department of Water Resources. The river supports drinking water for millions, irrigates vast agricultural lands, and generates hydroelectric power at Hoover Dam and Glen Canyon Dam.
“In my 25 years on the Colorado River, I haven’t seen things this bad,” said Jennifer Pitt, Colorado River program director for the National Audubon Society. “We have 19th century law, 20th century infrastructure, and 21st century hydrology and water demand — and it’s not lining up very well.”
