Colorado River Basin System Conservation Extension Act

The Colorado River Basin System Conservation Extension Act would extend through fiscal year 2026 the Bureau of Reclamation's pilot projects designed to address drought conditions affecting the Colorado River region. These pilot projects focus on increasing water levels in the Upper Colorado River Basin and Lake Mead, two critical water sources for millions of people across the Southwest.

The bill has already passed the Senate and is now being considered by the House of Representatives. If enacted, it would allow these conservation and water management pilot programs to continue operating beyond their current authorization period, providing continued federal support and oversight for efforts to stabilize water supplies in the region.

For citizens in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, this legislation would mean the continuation of federal initiatives aimed at managing water scarcity in the Colorado River Basin. The extension would help maintain ongoing efforts to preserve water levels at Lake Mead and in the Upper Basin during a period of prolonged drought, which affects water availability for drinking, agriculture, and hydroelectric power generation across the Southwest.