1. Colorado River Crisis Intensifies — Potential Cuts to 6 Million Acre-Feet Release Imminent Reclamation may cut Glen Canyon Dam releases to 6 million acre feet as early as May due to record-low upper basin runoff. California is expected to contribute 440,000 acre feet in conservation as part of a lower basin commitment, though no agency has yet claimed responsibility for providing that water. Metropolitan Water District has said it will not contribute water or resources, pushing the burden toward agricultural users — though Grant noted Met later indicated it might have some money after all to compensate ag. Palo Verde's fallowing program with Metropolitan was described as expected to drop from 100% to 50% in January, with Grant describing political drivers tied to Metropolitan's Lake Mead ICS storage and the 2007 Guidelines approaching expiration; Grant also noted Met is discussing transfers with CAP that could involve reselling water at significantly higher prices. Farmers should be aware that while PVID holds the most senior water rights on the river (protected by the 1968 act), the broader river situation is deteriorating rapidly and could affect long-term operations.
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