Shortage Impacts
The Colorado River Basin continues to experience drought and the impacts of hotter and drier conditions. The Lower Colorado River Basin is in a Tier 2a shortage for 2023. This represents a 592,000 acre-foot reduction to Arizona’s Colorado River supply, constituting 34% of Central Arizona Project’s normal supply in an average year, 21% of Arizona’s Colorado River supply and about 9% of Arizona’s total water use. Nearly all the reductions within Arizona will be borne by Central Arizona Project (CAP) water users.
A matter of priorities
To understand these impacts, see an “explainer” on the CAP Priority System.
IMPACTS BY PRIORITY POOL
See impacts by priority pool, mitigation agreements and resources, and DCP agreements.
RELATED CAP PRESENTATIONS
- June 24, 2021 Water Users Shortage Briefing
- April 29, 2021 CAP Board Meeting Joint Colorado River Shortage Preparedness Briefing
- April 1, 2021 CAP Board Meeting Preparation for Possibility of Tier One Shortage in 2022
- March 4, 2021 CAP Board Meeting Preparation for Possibility of Tier One Shortage in 2022
- February 4, 2021 CAP Board Meeting Preparation for Possibility of Tier One Shortage in 2022
MORE ON COLORADO RIVER SHORTAGE
The Colorado River Basin continues to experience drought exacerbated by the impacts of climate change. The Lower Colorado River Basin is in a Tier 2a shortage for 2023.
