An executive order from President Donald Trump has halted at least $4 billion in federal funding meant to protect the Colorado River, leaving farmers, cities, and Native American tribes uncertain about future water conservation efforts.
In short:
- The Inflation Reduction Act allocated $4 billion to sustain the Colorado River, which supplies water to 40 million people and supports agriculture. Trump’s order pauses those funds.
- Farmers in California’s Palo Verde Irrigation District have received millions to reduce water use, but future payments are now uncertain. Without them, conservation efforts may stall.
- Smaller conservation projects, including wildfire prevention and habitat restoration, also face funding gaps, with local groups struggling to find alternative financial support.
Key quote:
“These are not woke environmental programs. These are essential to continued ability to divert water.”
— Anne Castle, former federal water policy official
Why this matters:
The Colorado River is in crisis, shrinking under the weight of a 20-year megadrought intensified by climate change. Federal conservation funding has helped keep water levels stable in reservoirs like Lake Mead and Lake Powell, preventing severe supply cuts to cities and farms. Without continued support, water shortages could ripple across the West, threatening food production, electricity from hydropower, and entire economies dependent on the river.
Related: Colorado River's future: a complex challenge amid climate change
