TIMELINE EVENT
Interior issues Colorado River decision framework and 2027–2028 guidelines
What happened
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.
- Event date
Related claims 3
- 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.
Sources 3
- 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 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.
- Primary source · Government recordReclamation, final Record of Decision
Opening decision-framework discussion. Official decision index: https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/
Related articles 1
- ExplainerArizona’s Colorado River Cut: What It Really Means for Yuma
Arizona’s conditional 760,000-acre-foot share does not establish a uniform 27% cut to Yuma. Here is what the official records say about local priorities, planning and the decisions still unresolved.
Organizations 2
- Bureau of Reclamation
Federal agency publishing Colorado River operating guidelines, entitlement lists, project descriptions and water-accounting records.
- U.S. Department of the Interior
Federal department issuing the August 21, 2026 Colorado River operating decision.
Related topics 1
- Colorado River Water & Yuma
What federal Colorado River reductions mean for Yuma-area water holders, with evidence on priorities, planning, conservation and unresolved delivery decisions.