1. Colorado River Post-2026 Rules Finalized — Major Shortage Hits California The U.S. Department of the Interior issued the Record of Decision and two-year operating guidelines for 2027–2028 on Friday. The lower basin faces a 1.25 million acre-foot annual shortage, with California's apportionment set at 3.96 million acre-feet — a reduction of 440,000 acre-feet — contingent on execution of a lower basin implementing agreement (and staff noted that if it is not fully executed, the Secretary would apportion the shortage under applicable law). An additional 700,000 acre-feet of system conservation is required during 2026–2028, with California's expected share around 300,000 acre-feet. Lake Mead could fall below critical elevations as soon as next year under drier-than-average scenarios, which would trigger consultation and could limit access to stored Intentionally Created Surplus (ICS) water.
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