![]() ![]() The district is willing to contribute up to 250,000 of the acre-feet committed by California, General Manager Henry Martinez said in a statement.įarmers in the valley are already planning out their crops for next year. It’s the only source of water for crops in California’s southeastern desert, where many of the nation’s winter vegetables, like broccoli, as well as feed crops like alfalfa are grown. The Imperial Irrigation District receives a larger share of the river than any other entity. ![]() But the federal government has previously said the $4 billion could be used for short-term conservation measures, like paying farmers to leave their fields unplanted, and long-term efficiency projects such as lining canals to prevent water loss. It did not list any specific projects, or specify the rate of payment the agencies are expecting. The agencies said they have “a collection of proposed water conservation and water use reduction opportunities" that would help keep more water in Lake Mead, one of the river's key reservoirs. The proposed cuts are contingent on the water agencies getting money from the $4 billion in drought relief included in the Inflation Reduction Act, as well as a commitment by the federal government to help clean up the Salton Sea, a drying lake fed by diminishing runoff from Imperial Valley farms. California is entitled to 4.4 million acre feet of Colorado River water each year.įour California agencies use the river's water: The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the Imperial Irrigation District, the Palo Verde Irrigation District and the Coachella Valley Water District. “While a broad multi-state agreement to conserve water across the Basin has not been reached, the California agencies propose to take voluntary action now to conserve water in coming months,” the California agencies wrote.Īn acre-foot of water is enough to supply about two households for a year. #FLAGSTAFF WEATHERRADAR HOW TO#California has been under pressure from other states to figure out how to use less as river reservoirs drop so low they risk losing the ability to generate hydropower and deliver water. The proposal to cut 400,000 acre feet annually marks the first time California water agencies are publicly and formally indicating what they're willing to give up since federal officials demanded major cuts this summer. It has rights to the single largest share and is the last to lose water in times of shortage. Bureau of Reclamation first called on users to voluntarily limit their reliance on it.Ĭalifornia shares the river's water with six other states, tribes and Mexico. ![]() It comes as drought exacerbated by climate change continues to diminish the river, and months after the U.S. The agencies, which supply water to farmers and millions of people in Southern California, laid out their proposal in a letter to the U.S. (AP) - California water agencies that rely on the parched Colorado River said Wednesday they can reduce their use by one-tenth starting in 2023 in response to calls for cuts from the federal government. ![]()
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