California Faces 440,000-Acre-Foot Water Reduction Under New Colorado River Plan

California could see its Colorado River water supply reduced under a new federal plan designed to address the West's long-running drought.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has released new operating rules for the Colorado River covering 2027 and 2028. The plan calls for California, Arizona and Nevada to collectively reduce their water use by about 1.25 million acre-feet each year.

California would account for approximately 440,000 acre-feet of that reduction annually.

An acre-foot is a standard measurement used in water management and is roughly 326,000 gallons. That's enough water to meet the indoor and outdoor needs of about three average households for an entire year.

Federal officials say the two-year plan is intended to give water managers more flexibility as they respond to continued drought conditions across the West.

The plan includes voluntary conservation and other water-saving measures as states and water agencies work to reduce demand on the Colorado River.

The Colorado River is a critical water source for millions of people across the Southwest, including communities, farms and businesses in California.

The new rules come as officials continue to face the challenge of balancing water demands with declining supplies and prolonged drought conditions across the Colorado River Basin.