The states of Arizona, California and Nevada have agreed on the volume of water to be abstracted from the Colorado River depleted by prolonged drought.
In accordance with the agreement, the Federal Government will pay $1.2 billion to compensate irrigation districts, municipalities and tribes for reduced availability of water. Collectively the agreement calls for a 13 percent reduction in total abstraction in the Lower Colorado basin.
The Colorado River supplies drinking water to 40 million residents of seven states and irrigates 5.5 million acres of farmland. Power is generated in both Lake Mead and Lake Powell providing green energy for millions of homes and businesses.