"We're Not Running Out of Water. We're Running Out of Cheap Water."

Dwindling water levels across the Colorado River are forcing communities in the Southwest to expand conservation efforts and invest in new tools as drought conditions deepen. Here is a look at how federal plans for the critical river are shaping everyday life in this corner of the country.

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Report Brings Water Conservation to the Forefront

Several cities in the southwestern U.S. are enacting strict rules about water usage, including limiting outdoor watering and investing in wastewater recycling practices and desalination efforts. The call to conserve water reached a fever pitch on Friday when the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation released its final environmental review detailing how it plans to manage the water in Lake Powell and Lake Mead when the current operating rules are phased out.

The new framework could mean that Nevada, Arizona, and California will need to reduce their water consumption by up to 3 million acre-feet from stores in the Colorado River every year through 2028. The precise cuts will be determined every other year according to the current conditions.

Although the proposal could translate to significant water restrictions, it does not go into detail about how much water that all municipalities should expect to lose. The city of Phoenix noted that it is still refining its operation guidelines for next year.

Approximately 40 million Americans rely on the Colorado River for their water supplies. The good news is that household water availability should remain stable. However, this will require that governments spend more and enact stricter conservation measures.

Arizona State University water law professor Rhett Larson said that the region is not running out of water. Instead, it is simply "running out of cheap water."

In addition to the millions of residents who depend on the Colorado River for their water, this basin also supplies the resource for 30 tribal nations, two states in Mexico, and approximately 5.5 million acres of farmland. In fact, USA Today reports that agricultural interests account for the highest degree of water usage in the region, with residential use only amounting to about 20% of the overall demand. Cuts to agricultural water supplies could significantly impact food production in the years to come, resulting in higher prices all across the nation.

How Dire is the Situation?

Both Lake Powell and Lake Mead are grappling with rapidly diminishing water stores. For instance, according to the Bureau of Reclamation, Lake Powell is expected to end the water year at just 3,516 feet. This is only 22% of the capacity for the reservoir that sits along the border of Utah and Arizona.

Phoenix is always one of the hardest hit cities during times of drought. City officials said that the recent federal announcement will not immediately impact water service for residents. However, the city could shift to a Stage 2 Water Warning by the end of the year, triggering requests to reduce consumption along with the possibility of drought surcharges imposed on residents. The nearby college town of Tucson is facing similar challenges.

Moving into Southern California, San Diego has taken a different approach to water conservation. This part of the region boasts the country's largest seawater desalination plant, big enough to provide water to approximately 400,000 residents.

All of these efforts will likely need to be expanded in the months and years ahead. The long-range forecast is calling for deepening drought conditions, particularly after the exceptionally dry winter that produced limited snowpack across the Upper Colorado River Basin. Without a strong winter storm season, there is not enough spring snow runoff to fill the reservoirs to the needed levels.

Weather changes fast, so help your community stay prepared. Share this story with friends, family, or your group chat, and keep your forecast in the now with Weather Forecast Now.