Colorado River

The Colorado River – often called the lifeline of the southwest – supplies water to more than 30 million people and more than two million acres of agricultural land.

With an average annual supply of 14 million acre-feet, the Colorado River supplies seven states – Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, Arizona, California and Nevada – as well as several American Indian tribes. But California’s designated portion of the Colorado River supply – 4.4 million acre-feet, or 30 percent of the total allocation – has proven insufficient for our water needs.

Today, the limitations on our Colorado River allocation cause instability for our state’s water supply.

SCWC actively participates in discussions concerning California’s Colorado River Use Plan. As the demand for water continues to grow, SCWC will continue working with state and federal officials to protect California’s Colorado River supply and help ensure that it is enough to give California families and farmers the water they need.

TASK FORCE CHAIR:

Dan Denham
San Diego County Water Authority

July 2023
Get Informed About Colorado River at SCWC’s July Quarterly Luncheon
Watch a Video of SCWC’s Luncheon Panel on the Colorado River Management

October 2022
A Collaborative Approach to Colorado River Management

January 2021
Finding Solutions for Water Shortages on the Colorado River

February 14, 2020
SCWC Letter in support of salinity control in the Paradox Valley in Western Colorado

July 24, 2013
SCWC, DWA & CVWD Comment Letter