Colorado River Crisis Deepens | Salt Lake City News

Salt Lake City News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 21, 2026 · 2m

The Colorado River is running dry, and the federal government has stepped in to force water cuts—big ones—for California, Arizona, and Nevada, while pushing Utah and Colorado to conserve more. To prevent Lake Powell from collapsing, water will be released from upstream reservoirs like Flaming Gorge, sparking some local concern but firm state resistance. Upper Basin states now must collaborate with tribes to manage reservoirs and protect infrastructure, though the core problem remains: less water than ever. Lower Basin states face massive reductions—over a million acre-feet—seen as a temporary…