Colorado River Commission of Nevada
100 N City Pkwy #1100 | Las Vegas, NV 89106 | 702.486.2670
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Natural Resource Division

The Natural Resources Division (NRD) of the Colorado River Commission of Nevada (CRC) is responsible for protecting the rights and interests of the State of Nevada’s allocated share of Colorado River water. The CRC represents the state through participation in local, state and federal water and environmental programs that directly or indirectly touch the Colorado River. The following sections highlight some of the NRG's current projects:

POST 2026 NEGOTIATIONS

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is currently engaged in developing new operating guidelines for the Colorado River, slated to be effective after 2026. Stakeholders from federal agencies, states, water users, tribes, non-governmental organizations, and others across the Colorado River Basin continue to convene, deliberate, and collaborate in pursuit of long-term consensus on post-2026 river operations. It is anticipated that a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) related to the post-2026 operations will be released by the end of 2024, with a final EIS expected at the end of 2025, followed by the publication of a Record of Decision in early 2026.

These new guidelines are intended to protect the supply of Colorado River water resources against the ensuing drought, including impacts caused by climate change. The new guidelines will replace the 2007 Colorado River Interim Guidelines for Lower Basin Shortages and Coordinated Operations for Lake Powell and Lake Mead and the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan, all of which expire at the end of 2026. The CRC is part of the Nevada team in the post 2026 negotiations.

Additional information about Reclamation’s post 2026 process can be found Here.

COLORADO RIVER WATER ACCOUNTING

The CRC is responsible for calculating Nevada’s annual consumptive use of Colorado River water in accordance with Article V of the Consolidated Decree of the United States Supreme Court Arizona vs. California 1964 (373 U.S. 546) as amended. The NRG prepares and submits a monthly report to Reclamation which includes Nevada’s diversions, returns, and consumptive use of Colorado River water.

Reclamation’s water accounting reports are available Here.

GLEN CANYON DAM ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

The Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program (GCDAMP) was developed to provide an organization and process for cooperative integration of dam operations, downstream resource protection and management, and monitoring and research information, as well as to improve the values for which the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Grand Canyon National Park were established. The NRG participates in the Adaptive Management Work Group and Technical Work Group.

To learn more about the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program, please visit the Bureau of Reclamation website located Here.

GCDAMP

Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program (LCR MSCP)

The LCR MSCP was created in 2005 to balance the use of Colorado River water resources with the conservation of native species and their habitats. The program works toward the recovery of species currently listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). It also reduces the likelihood of additional species being listed. Implemented over a 50-year period, the program accommodates current water diversions and power production, and will optimize opportunities for future water and power development by providing ESA compliance through the implementation of a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). The program area is an ecosystem wide effort that extends over 400 miles of the lower Colorado River from Lake Mead to the southernmost border with Mexico, and includes lakes Mead, Mohave, and Havasu, as well as the historic 100-year floodplain along the main stem of the lower Colorado River. The Habitat Conservation Plan calls for the creation of over 8,100 acres of habitat for fish and wildlife species and the production of over 1.2 million native fish to augment existing populations. The plan will benefit at least 27 species, most of which are state or federally listed endangered, threatened, or sensitive species. The Bureau of Reclamation is the implementing agency for the LCR MSCP. Partnership involvement occurs primarily through the LCR MSCP Steering Committee, currently representing 57 entities, including state and Federal agencies, water and power users, municipalities, Native American tribes, conservation organizations, and other interested parties, which provides input and oversight functions in support of LCR MSCP implementation. Program costs are evenly divided between the federal government and non-federal partners, providing Nevada with a 25% cost share obligation of the non-federal partners. NRG staff participate on the Steering Committee and manage Nevada’s cost share obligation.

Since the inception of the LCR MSCP in 2005, the Program has been amended several times. The first time in 2018 to add the Northern Mexican Gartersnake to the list of covered species, the second time in 2022 to increase compliance to accommodate additional drought reductions of Colorado River use and most recently in 2024 to increase compliance for even further reductions of Colorado River use.

Additional information on the LCR MSCP can be found Here.

LCR MSCP

Bi-National Relations with Mexico

Under the 1944 Mexico Water Treaty, Mexico is allocated 1.5 million acre-feet (maf) of Colorado River water (not including an additional 200,000af of surplus water should surplus water exist). Binational relations under the Treaty and its subsequent Minutes are conducted through the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), a governing body consisting of a commissioner from each country and correlating staff.

On November 20, 2012, the United States, Mexico, and the Basin States signed Minute 319 to the 1944 Mexico Water Treaty. This 5-year pilot program altered Colorado River management between the two nations using a similar approach to the December 2007 Record of Decision on Colorado River Interim Guidelines by encouraging water conservation projects to increase water supplies. Under Minute 319, the two nations shared in water surpluses and shortages and Mexico was allowed to store water in Lake Mead. The agreement also solidified ongoing water supply and environmental restoration work in the Colorado River Delta. Prolonged historic drought conditions on the Colorado River then prompted the negotiation of Minute 323.

As a continuation of Minute 319, Minute 323 has both countries committed to expanding water management measures through 2026 to respond to declining reservoir storage in the Colorado River System. The agreement continues Mexico’s water storage in Lake Mead and ensures a flow of water to the Colorado River Delta as well as expanding the restored habitat area from 1,700 to 4,300 acres. The NRG participates in technical meetings and provides representation on several of the work groups, including the Salinity Work Group, Hydrology Work Group and Environmental Work Group. A new Minute will likely be negotiated to address post 2026 operations and needs on the river.

To learn more on bi-national relations with Mexico, please visit the International Boundary and Water Commission website Here.

Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum

The Salinity Control Program was created with the passage of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act (1974) with the purpose of improving water quality above Imperial Dam. The program includes 1) the Salinity Control Forum (Forum), comprised of up to three governor representatives from each of the seven basin states; 2) the Salinity Control Advisory Council created under the 1974 Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act and comprised of the Department of Interior, Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Land Management, and members from the Seven Basin States; and a Forum Technical Work Group. NRG staff represent the State of Nevada on the Salinity Control Forum, Salinity Control Advisory Council and Forum Technical Workgroup.

Much of the Upper Colorado River Basin is underlain by geologic formations composed of sediments with high concentrations of salt deposited from ancient inland seas. Water passing through these formations can dissolve and mobilize salts, increasing concentrations in the Colorado River as it travels downstream. Increased salinity concentrations can financially impact water users through decreased crop productivity and reducing the useful life of household fixtures like faucets and hot water heaters. The salinity control program reduces salt though grant programs that fund upper basin on-farm efficiencies through conversions of flood irrigation to high efficiency sprinklers. Since implementation of the Program, measures have been put in place which now reduce the annual salt load of the Colorado River by more than 1.3 million tons.

More information on the Salinity Control Program is available Here.

IMPORTANT FACTS

  • The Colorado River flows through seven “Basin” states: Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona and California;
  • The Colorado River Basin is divided into an Upper and Lower Basin. Wyoming, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico comprise the Upper Basin and Nevada, California and Arizona comprise the Lower Basin. Each Basin is allocated up to 7.5 million acre-feet annually for beneficial uses;
  • The Mexican Water Treaty of 1944 committed 1.5 million acre-feet of the Colorado River’s annual flow to the country of Mexico plus 200,000af of surplus if available;
  • Nevada’s allocated share of Colorado River Water is 300,000 acre-feet annually, Arizona’s is 2,700,000 acre-feet annually, California’s is 4,400,000 acre-feet annually;
  • The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation serves as the Water Master, providing sole contracting authority for Colorado River water use in the Lower Basin
  • The River serves 40 million people for municipal use, including 30 federally recognized tribes and Mexico;
  • Water from the river irrigates 5.5 million acres of agriculture, including 15% of American agriculture and about 90% of the nation’s winter vegetables;
  • Dams along the river create reservoirs for water storage and serve to generate hydropower, providing about 4 billion kilowatt hours of energy annually, enough to serve 1.3 million people;