Across the Colorado River Basin, communities are once again confronting the realities of drought. This winter brought below-average snowpack to much of the region, continuing a pattern of warming temperatures, earlier runoff, and increasing uncertainty about water supplies. While late-season storms may provide some relief, they are unlikely to change the broader trajectory. For many communities, the challenge is no longer whether conditions will be dry, but how to plan within those limits.
That urgency was front and center at our recent Arizona Growing Water Smart workshop, where local leaders came together to tackle the intersection of water and land use. Participants worked across disciplines to better understand their water future, identify shared priorities, and begin building practical strategies to align growth with available supplies. The conversations reinforced a core principle of this work: lasting solutions depend on collaboration, communication, and a shared understanding of risk.
We are also continuing that momentum in Colorado. In the Middle Colorado Watershed, communities and partners are advancing efforts to integrate water considerations into planning decisions, strengthening coordination, and exploring tools to support long-term resilience.
Even in the face of ongoing drought, communities across the Basin are stepping forward with focus and determination. That work has never been more important.