Seven Western states failed to meet a deadline to agree on a plan to address declining water levels in the Colorado River. Governors from Arizona, California, and Nevada urged Upper Basin states to offer more concessions, emphasizing the importance of shared responsibility for conservation. Concerns were raised about low snowpack and the potential for severe consequences for communities, farms, and economies.
Read full article: Galveston County Sheriff: Man gives ‘full confession’ in child sex abuse caseRead full article: Houston attorney explains how bankruptcy can save your marriageFebruary 14, 2026 at 4:26 PM FILE - The Colorado River in the upper River Basin is seen, May 29, 2021, in Lees Ferry, Ariz.
– The seven Western states that depend on the Colorado River missed a deadline for the second time Saturday to agree on a plan addressing Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo released a joint statement calling on Upper Basin states to offer more concessions. Those states include Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.“The Colorado River is essential to our communities and economies, and our states have conserved large volumes of water in recent years to stabilize the basin’s water supplies for years to come,” the governors said. “Our stance remains firm and fair: all seven basin states must share in the responsibility of conservation.” Arizona, California and Nevada have offered to decrease Colorado River allocation by 27%, 10% and 17%, respectively, according to those states. Colorado Sen. John Hickenlooper. who helped negotiate a river contingency plan in 2019 as governor, called the situation in the Colorado Basin “dire," pointing to the state's low snowpack. "If we don’t address this problem together –- head-on and fast –- our communities, farms, and economies will suffer. The best path forward is the one we take together. Litigation won’t solve the problem of this long-term aridification," Hickenlooper said in a statement. John Entsminger, the general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, also expressed frustration at the lack of progress. “The actions we have taken over the past two-plus decades are less about raising Lake Mead’s elevation than they are about protecting ourselves if things go from bad to worse,” Entsminger said in a statement.rely on Colorado River water. The river is crucial to farming as well as water and electricity for millions of homes and businesses. Much of the water starts out as winter mountain snowfall in the Upper Basin, which amasses far more that way than it consumes. Lower Basin states, including agriculture-heavy regions, are bigger consumers. Major cities including Denver, Salt Lake City, Albuquerque, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Los Angeles, are also big water consumers. Chronic overuse, drought and rising temperatures linked to climate change have lessened water flows.The current round of negotiations among states have been going on over two years. If no consensus can be reached, the federal government could step in and devise a plan that leaves parties dissatisfied and could even result in litigation. Scientists recently found snow cover and snow depth in the West are at their lowest in decades. Some areas have seen their warmest December through early February. Normally, snow cover this time of year spans 460,000 square miles — about the size of California, Utah, Idaho and Montana. But, this year it is only California-sized, about 155,000 square miles, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Here's the latest on Houston's Valentine's Day stormsWhat happens next after HISD announced the closures of 12 schools?Should celebrators expect storms for Mardi Gras?Nancy Guthrie case: Why your home security cameras are always recordingKPRC 2's Randy McIlvoy speaks with Houston Texans President Mike Tomon on new facilityNancy Guthrie Case: Nest Video Recovery Sparks Privacy QuestionsWhat Italians Really Think of American Fashion | Milan Olympics 2026 Update
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States reliant on Colorado River fail to meet the latest deadline to find consensusThe seven Western states that depend on the Colorado River have missed a deadline for the second time to agree on a plan addressing record drought and water shortages.
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States reliant on Colorado River fail to meet the latest deadline to find consensusThe seven Western states that depend on the Colorado River have missed a deadline for the second time to agree on a plan addressing record drought and water shortages.
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