Colorado River falls into Tier 2 shortage

In January, the Lower Colorado River Basin will operate in a condition known as a Tier 2 shortage

Satellite view of Lake Powell in Utah, in April, 2022. (Gallo Images/Orbital Horizon/Copernicus Sentinel Data via CNN 2022)

Federal officials, for the second time, are reducing the amount of water Arizona, Nevada, and the country of Mexico can draw from the Colorado River as an ongoing 23-year drought drains the two largest reservoirs in the US: Lakes Mead and Powell. In January, the Lower Colorado River Basin (see overview) will operate in a condition known as a Tier 2 shortage, in which Lake Mead has hit below 1,050 feet above sea level. The federal government next year plans to withhold 21% of Arizona's yearly water allocation, 8% from Nevada, and 7% from Mexico (see details). California and the Upper Basin states of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and New Mexico, don't have planned cuts yet. More than 40 million people rely on the river for drinking water, electricity, and agriculture. Lake Mead is hovering around 1,040 feet above sea level, or at 27% capacity—the lowest point since 1937. The record low water level has exposed four sets of human remains so far.

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