Arizona’s congressional delegation is urging Congress to provide emergency funding to address worsening conditions along the Colorado River, warning that prolonged drought and declining reservoir levels pose a growing risk to millions of people across the western United States.
In a letter sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson, a bipartisan group of Arizona representatives called for immediate federal investment in water infrastructure, conservation efforts, and long-term planning to help protect one of the region’s most important water sources.
Request
The July 17 letter was signed by U.S. Representatives Yassamin Ansari, Andy Biggs, Eli Crane, Paul Gosar, Adelita Grijalva, Abe Hamadeh, and Greg Stanton.
The lawmakers asked Congress to include emergency funding for the Colorado River in any future funding package, arguing that water security should be treated as a national priority.
According to the letter, prolonged drought and falling reservoir levels represent an immediate threat to communities and industries that rely on the river for drinking water and economic activity.
Concern
The representatives said they are “deeply concerned” about the region’s water future as drought conditions continue across the Colorado River Basin.
They warned that declining water supplies could affect millions of residents and emphasized the need for proactive measures before conditions become more severe.
The lawmakers also noted that investments made today could help reduce the impact of future water shortages.
Reservoirs
Current drought conditions, combined with below-average snowpack, have raised concerns about water levels at Lake Powell and Lake Mead.
Both reservoirs play a critical role in storing and supplying Colorado River water to several western states, including Arizona.
Officials are concerned that water levels at both lakes could decline further before the end of the year if dry conditions continue.
| Key Reservoirs | Importance |
|---|---|
| Lake Powell | Stores Colorado River water for the Upper Basin |
| Lake Mead | Supplies water to Arizona, Nevada, California, and other users |
Impact
Communities across Arizona are already preparing for possible reductions in Colorado River water supplies.
One recent example is Cave Creek, which reached a water agreement with the City of Peoria to help offset potential reductions in future Colorado River allocations.
Local governments continue to explore additional strategies to improve long-term water reliability as drought conditions persist.
Funding
The lawmakers requested federal funding to support several key priorities aimed at improving water security.
These include:
- Water infrastructure improvements.
- Long-term planning for water reductions.
- Water conservation projects.
- Smart water augmentation measures.
The representatives said these investments could help reduce the immediate impact of shortages while supporting future water management agreements beyond 2026.
Background
The Arizona delegation pointed to previous federal action as an example of how Congress has responded to drought challenges.
In 2022, Congress approved billions of dollars for drought mitigation efforts across the western United States. The lawmakers said similar action is needed again as water conditions continue to worsen.
The Colorado River remains one of the most important water sources for Arizona and much of the American Southwest. As drought continues to affect reservoir levels and long-term water supplies, Arizona’s congressional delegation is urging Congress to act quickly with emergency funding to strengthen water infrastructure, support conservation efforts, and help communities prepare for future challenges.
