KJZZ is a service of Rio Salado College,
and Maricopa Community Colleges

Copyright © 2025 KJZZ/Rio Salado College/MCCCD
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Phoenix Water Official: Shortage On Colorado River Looks 'Inevitable'

Colorado River
Grand Canyon National Park
/
handout | agency
Colorado River in the Grand Canyon.

There’s a better than 50 percent chance Arizona will get less water from the Colorado River by 2020.

The Federal Bureau of Reclamation is projecting a 52 percent chance Lake Mead water levels fall enough to trigger cutbacks in two years. That chance increases to 64 percent in 2021 and 68 percent in 2022.

If that happens, Arizona, Nevada and Mexico would be the first to see less water.

Kathryn Sorensen, director of Phoenix Water Services, joined The Show to talk about it. 

Mark Brodie is a co-host of The Show, KJZZ’s locally produced news magazine. Since starting at KJZZ in 2002, Brodie has been a host, reporter and producer, including several years covering the Arizona Legislature, based at the Capitol.