The U.S. government plans to reduce the amount of Colorado River water that several states are allowed to use next year.

The river supplies water to seven western states, more than 20 Indian tribes and two Mexican states.

These states and Mexico are also currently considering plans for sharing the water after 2026, when many of the current rules and agreements governing the use of Colorado River water expire.

The river supplies water to millions of acres of farmland in the American West. Hydroelectric power plants on the river generate electricity. Experts say increased water consumption, rising temperatures and dry weather are the reasons for the necessary savings.

After years of drought, the US states reached pool and the federal government agreed on rules for dealing with lower water levels. The states involved were Arizona, Nevada, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

These rules determine when some states have to reduce their water usage due to the water level of Lake Mead. The lake is located on the border between Nevada and Arizona. It provides water for hydroelectric power, agriculture and other purposes.

Because new regulations are needed, states, Native American tribes and other organizations are developing new plans to deal with even more drastic water cuts that could occur in 2026.

The federal government will announce water cuts for 2025 based on Lake Mead’s level. If Lake Mead falls below an agreed level, Arizona, California, Nevada and Mexico will face cuts. However, California may not face cuts because current regulations give that state special water rights.

Last year, Arizona, California and Nevada agreed to invest an additional 3 million Acre-foot water in addition to the cuts that the federal government had already demanded. One acre-foot is about 1.2 million liters. In return, the US government committed to paying for water Districts and other users are largely responsible for reducing water consumption.

Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming are located in the river’s upper basin. These states have not used all the water they are legally allowed to use, so they have not yet had to reduce the amount of water they take from the river.

Wet weather in 2023 and efforts by Lower Basin states to conserve water have increased the levels of Lake Mead and Lake Powell. Utah’s Lake Powell is another body of water that stores and releases river water.

However, experts expect that the water level of the Colorado River will continue to fall in the coming years due to higher temperatures.

In March, Upper and Lower Basin states, tribes and environmental groups presented plans for how to deal with expected future water shortages.

Arizona, California and Nevada called on the federal government to reduce water levels in other Reservoirs alongside Lake Mead and Lake Powell. Their plan calls for when the entire system falls below 38 percent of the maximum amount of water it can hold, the Upper Basin and Mexico should share deeper cuts equally with the Lower Basin.

Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming want bigger and faster cuts when water levels in Lake Mead and Lake Powell are low. The cuts would affect California, Arizona and Nevada. Their plan does not include any reduction in water use by the Upper Basin states.

The federal government is expected to propose new rules by December. The rules would take into account the various plans and possible steps for the future. Until then, states, tribes and other groups will continue negotiations over water.

I’m Andrew Smith. And I’m Anna Matteo.

Suman Naishadham wrote this story for The Associated Press. Andrew Smith adapted it for VOA Learning English.

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Words in this story

pool –n. the area drained by a river

determine –v. officially decide

Acre-foot –n. a volume measurement used specifically in the United States for large-scale water consumption and corresponding to approximately 1.2 million liters

district –n. a special area created by a government for a special purpose

reservoir –n. a body of water, usually formed by a dam, intended to be used for water supply