GOVERNMENT

U.S. Department of the Interior

Updated September 23, 2026

About this organization

Federal department issuing the August 21, 2026 Colorado River operating decision.

VerifiedThe Arizona 760,000-acre-foot share is conditional on the required implementing agreements.
The Arizona 760,000-acre-foot share is conditional on the required implementing agreements.
VerifiedThe federal 2027–2028 guidelines set an annual Lower Basin reduction of 1.25 million acre-feet.
The federal 2027–2028 guidelines set an annual Lower Basin reduction of 1.25 million acre-feet.
VerifiedThe guidelines specify 700,000 acre-feet of additional voluntary conservation in total across 2026–2028.
The guidelines specify 700,000 acre-feet of additional voluntary conservation in total across 2026–2028.

Primary source · Public statementDepartment of the Interior, August 21 operating-decision announcement
Supports the announcement date, aggregate reduction and conditional state allocation. The announcement should be read together with the final operating guidelines, which provide the operative details for the conservation period.
Primary source · Government recordLower Division States, May 1 proposal, hosted by ADWR
p. 1 term and state shares; p. 4 conservation and funding; p. 7 reservations. A proposal, not proof of executed implementing agreements.
Primary source · Government recordReclamation, final 2027–2028 operating guidelines
§3 printed p. 2; §5.3.A printed p. 7/PDF p. 8; §5.3.B printed p. 8/PDF p. 9; §5.9 printed p. 15.

August 21, 2026Interior issues Colorado River decision framework and 2027–2028 guidelines
Interior announces the federal decision, including an annual 1.25-million-acre-foot Lower Basin reduction for 2027 and 2028. The state split remains tied to implementing agreements. The broader decision framework covers 2027–2036.