California’s Largest Water User Agrees to Conserve 700,000 Acre-Feet in Lake Mead

The Imperial Irrigation District (IID), Southern California’s largest user of the Colorado River, has reached an agreement with the federal government to conserve significant amounts of water in Lake Mead. This deal involves leaving up to 700,000 acre-feet of water in the reservoir through 2026.

The decision, approved by IID’s board of directors, is part of broader efforts to address water scarcity in the Colorado River Basin, which supplies several western U.S. states and Mexico.

In exchange for IID’s water conservation, the federal Bureau of Reclamation will provide funding for conservation measures. The agreement ensures that IID will conserve up to 300,000 acre-feet of water annually from 2024 to 2026. These measures are crucial for maintaining water levels in Lake Mead, which is a vital resource for states relying on the Colorado River for water.

The Imperial Irrigation District holds some of the most senior and legally protected water rights on the Colorado River, even though it is located near the river’s end.

The district’s annual allocation is 3.1 million acre-feet, making it a significant user in the Lower Basin, which also includes California, Arizona, and Nevada. The Upper Basin states and Mexico also rely on allocations from the Colorado River, which underscores the importance of coordinated conservation efforts.

This agreement comes as states in the Colorado River Basin work to develop long-term plans for water management, with current temporary conservation agreements set to expire in 2026.

Negotiations are ongoing in the Upper Basin states for a new deal with the federal government, which could offer protections against future water cutbacks. These discussions highlight the urgent need for sustainable water management across the basin.

As part of the Imperial Irrigation District’s conservation efforts, the district will expand its on-farm efficiency programs and reduce the cultivation of water-intensive crops. IID Vice Chair JB Hamby emphasized the significance of this deal and urged other water districts to take similar actions.

The agreement is seen as a critical step in preparing for a future where the Colorado River faces increasing pressure due to climate change and ongoing drought.