Water & Drought

On the eve of the high-stakes summit, negotiators from both the upper and lower river basins are not sounding confident they can reach an agreement with less than three weeks to go before a Feb. 14 deadline.

An exceptionally dry winter across the Four Corners is stressing trees. Experts say watering during warm, snow-free days can help roots stay healthy into spring.

Four days of negotiations in a Salt Lake City conference room earlier this month did not appear to have sparked a breakthrough.

After last weekend’s storm, snowpack improved across the Upper Colorado Basin, but levels remain below average, keeping water outlooks uncertain for spring and summer.

Farm News & Views reports falling snowpack in southwest Colorado river basins and growing strain on U.S. farmers from low crop prices, high costs, and trade impacts.

The proposals range from taking "no action" to a scenario that might result in water cuts to the lower basin states of California, Nevada and Arizona. One alternative developed in partnership with conservation groups would incentivize states and water users to proactively conserve the river.

A new snow drought update shows record-low snow cover across much of the western U.S., with warm temperatures and rain replacing snow. Experts warn that low snowpack could worsen water supply concerns and impact recreation if conditions don’t improve.

Experts say the federal government does not want to be the decision maker, and is pushing states to come to an agreement on future water use that will inform the river's post-2026 operating guidelines. CU Boulder's Chris Winter weighs in on the Interior's draft environmental impact statement.

Forecasters say La Niña remains in place, but a shift to neutral conditions later this winter could shape snowpack and water supplies.

Farm leaders warn of mounting losses as trade tensions, global beef markets, and low snowpack threaten agricultural stability heading into 2026.