A group of Colorado River experts is calling for big changes in the way we manage the shrinking water supply.
The group says the Colorado River is on the cusp of catastrophe where dams stop working and old agreements can no longer be carried out.
Zach Frankel, director of the Utah Rivers Council, says ongoing negotiations lack transparency, and aren’t moving quickly enough.
"We're so clearly not addressing the depth of challenge we're facing," Frankel said, "and what we're asking is, is it because of the process?"
Frankel says every state that uses the Colorado River needs to come up with ways to use less, and the region needs to rethink how and where it stores water as reservoirs drop to record lows.
Some say policymakers need to act more quickly to respond to climate change. Kyle Roerink is with the nonprofit Great Basin Water Network.
"We're so far away from meeting the moment right now, the moment might as well be on another planet," Roerink said.
Roerink says negotiations between the seven states that use the river need to be more transparent.
Other river experts are stressing that negotiators need to rethink how and where we store water, as dams and reservoirs drop to record lows.
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The state’s two largest fires, the Sycamore and Pocket fires, are approaching containment. But state officials warn that risks could persist as monsoon activity is beginning to pick up. -
The combined amount of water in Lake Powell and Lake Mead is now the lowest it has been in nearly 70 years. -
Environmental advocates argue that new water-sharing rules can and should keep the river flowing for plants, animals, people and infrastructure. -
An important measuring site called the Charleston gage recently measured zero flow in the river. Experts say it's due to climate change and groundwater pumping. -
Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky said they’re taking a major step toward securing their long-term water outlook by directing their city manager and city attorney to potentially create a large water use ordinance for the city.
