Queen Creek leadership is maintaining a calm stance regarding recent federal proposals to reduce Colorado River water allocations, citing a strategic shift away from reliance on the river. Mayor Julia Wheatley stated the town is not waiting anxiously for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to finalize decisions, noting that the community has spent a decade building a self-sufficient water strategy.
The federal announcement on July 31 outlined a schedule for potential water reductions of up to 40% for Arizona, California, and Nevada, with cuts potentially starting in 2027 and 2028. While the proposal did not establish final operating rules, it laid the groundwork for significant reductions. Governor Katie Hobbs criticized the plan, arguing it unfairly forces Arizona to absorb the majority of the cutbacks.
Queen Creek’s relative stability stems from a major investment made in late 2025 and early 2026. The town purchased 1.7 million acre-feet of water from the Harquahala Basin for over $465 million. This supply is projected to provide approximately 68% of the town’s water needs for the next 110 years. Consequently, only about 10% of Queen Creek’s water currently comes from the Colorado River.
This contrasts sharply with other Valley municipalities. Cities such as Phoenix, Gilbert, and Glendale receive roughly 40% of their water from the Central Arizona Project canal, while Scottsdale relies on it for as much as 70%.
Phoenix City Council scheduled an executive session to discuss legal issues related to the river, and Mayor Kate Gallego stated that while the city is prepared to use less water, the burden should not fall disproportionately on Arizona.
