PRESS RELEASE
California Water Users and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Sign Historic Agreements to Protect the Colorado River
Collaborative Effort to Conserve 1.6 million acre-feet of Water to Safeguard the River System
LAS VEGAS, NV – In a historic effort to protect the Colorado River Basin, today the Imperial Irrigation District, The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, San Diego County Water Authority, Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe, Palo Verde Irrigation District, Coachella Valley Water District, and the United States Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) signed the first in a series of agreements that will conserve up to 1.6 million acre-feet of water to remain in Lake Mead.
The agreements are a key part of the Lower Basin Plan among Arizona, California, and Nevada to conserve 3 million acre-feet of water by 2026 to protect the Colorado River system from extended drought, a plan identified this fall as Reclamation’s proposed action for near-term Colorado River operations.
“Less than a year ago, we faced the worst possible consequences of drought and interstate conflict. Today, California’s agricultural, urban, and tribal users are banding together through these agreements to protect the Colorado River as part of the Lower Basin Plan with the instrumental support of the Bureau of Reclamation. It's an incredible turnaround,” said JB Hamby, Chairman of the Colorado River Board of California and Colorado River Commissioner for California.
Over the past year, California’s Colorado River water users have collaborated with Reclamation to develop agreements that will conserve water through 2026 as part of the Lower Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program, funded through the Inflation Reduction Act. The agreements are a product of Reclamation’s efforts to protect critical elevations at Lake Mead and Lake Powell for the duration of the 2007 Interim Guidelines, set to terminate in 2026, through reduced consumptive use of Colorado River water.
California’s participating water users and Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton signed the agreements today in Las Vegas at the annual Colorado River Water Users Association conference.
The agreements ensure Lake Mead — the nation’s largest reservoir — can continue to deliver water to millions of people and millions of acres of farmland over the next three years, with additional agreements anticipated to be signed in 2024 with the Bard Water District, the Coachella Valley Water District, and the Imperial Irrigation District:
- Bureau of Reclamation and Imperial Irrigation District system conservation agreement.
- Additional agreements in support of the Reclamation/Imperial Irrigation District Agreement: (1) Metropolitan Water District/Imperial Irrigation District/San Diego County Water Authority and (2) Imperial Irrigation District/San Diego County Water Authority.
- Bureau of Reclamation and Coachella Valley Water District system conservation agreement.
- Bureau of Reclamation, Metropolitan Water District and Palo Verde Irrigation District system conservation agreement.
- Bureau of Reclamation, Metropolitan Water District, and the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe system conservation agreement.
- California Forbearance Agreement: Metropolitan Water District, Palo Verde Irrigation District Board, Imperial Irrigation District, Coachella Valley Water District, The City of Needles.
“IID remains fully committed to working proactively with its partners for the long-term sustainability of the Colorado River and Lake Mead, the source of IID’s only water supply. We are equally committed to ensuring any impacts to the Salton Sea resulting from regional solutions with broader beneficiaries are appropriately addressed to protect our community. IID’s involvement, and particularly that of Imperial Valley growers who will be generating much of this water through voluntary on-farm conservation measures, exemplifies our collective commitment and support that will be paramount in the long-term success of the river.”
Jamie Asbury, General Manager
Imperial Irrigation District
“Each one of these agreements is evidence of what we can achieve when we work together. This collaborative effort, including federal financial support and Metropolitan’s commitment to leave more than 400,000 acre-feet of water in Lake Mead this year, will help stabilize the reservoir while we negotiate longer-term solutions. There is much work ahead. Building lasting solutions will take even greater partnership and investment from us all.”
Adel Hagekhalil, General Manager
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
“This is a significant moment not just for today but for the long-term survival of the Colorado River. All the critical pieces are here: willing partners, meaningful levels of conservation, federal funding, environmental benefits for the Salton Sea, and respect for the Law of the River.”
Dan Denham, General Manager
San Diego County Water Authority
"The Colorado River is the lifeblood of the Quechan people, and we are committed to doing everything possible to ensure it remains a living river. This conservation agreement is an important part of these efforts to ensure that the River can continue to sustain our Tribe, our neighbors in the Basin, and the ecosystem we all rely on. We are proud to sign this agreement today, which reflects our strong partnerships with Reclamation and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.”
President Jordan Joaquin
Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribal Council
"Palo Verde Irrigation District is committed to working with our partner agencies in the Lower Basin, and with Reclamation in taking actions to protect critical elevations in the Colorado River reservoir system. We are pleased to join our long time partner, The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, to quickly utilize existing water transfer agreements to achieve these ambitious goals."
Bart Fisher, President
Palo Verde Irrigation District Board of Trustees
“The Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) recognizes the importance of the Colorado River extends well beyond our service area, and is committed to doing our part to ensure that this River continues to meet the beneficial needs of its users. The agreement we entered into with the Bureau of Reclamation will conserve 105,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water through 2025. CVWD has long promoted efficient use of Colorado River water by minimizing water loss through constructing lined canals and a closed pipeline irrigation distribution system. Furthermore, greater than 60% of the Coachella Valley’s agricultural producers use water efficient drip irrigation systems. CVWD appreciates the collaboration with Reclamation and our fellow California Colorado River water users to protect the Colorado River Basin.”
Jim Barrett, General Manager
Coachella Valley Water District
“The Bard Water District appreciates the opportunity to work with Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the Bureau of Reclamation and our other lower basin partners to help maintain both the elevation in the system and preserve farming in the Bard Valley. Although the agreement for the next phase of the fallowing program is not yet signed, we believe the program will be beneficial both to the system and our stakeholders.”
Ray Face, President
Bard Water District
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For the past 86 years the Colorado River Board of California’s mission has been to protect the interests and rights of the State of California, its agencies and citizens, in the water and power resources of the Colorado River System.
The Colorado River Board represents the State of California and its Members in discussions and negotiations with the Colorado River Basin States, federal, state, local governmental agencies, and Mexico regarding the management of the Colorado River.
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