Colorado River Shortage Preparedness
ARIZONA - STRONGER TOGETHER
In August 2021, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior declared the first-ever Tier 1 shortage for Colorado River operations. The shortage, which will begin in 2022, will result in a substantial cut to Arizona’s share of the Colorado River. These Arizona reductions will be borne by Central Arizona Project (CAP) water users. The result will be less available Colorado River water for central Arizona agricultural users.
Given the recent intensification of the drought, it is likely there will be deeper levels of shortage in the next few years.