The megadrought out West is forcing states to make water restrictions more strict.
Federal officials will limit the amount of water taken from the Colorado River, which supplies water to 40 million people in the Southwest.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has declared a Tier 2 water shortage on the Colorado River.
Several states will have to make new mandatory water cuts for the second year in a row. It includes tough choices whether to prioritize growing cities or agricultural use.
Arizona will see about 21% of its yearly water use cut in the new restrictions starting Jan. 1.
Projections show Lake Powell’s water surface elevation will be only 32 feet above the minimum level needed to generate electricity from the hydroelectric dam.
Demand in the fast-growing Southwest exceeds supply, which is decreasing amid a climate change-driven relentless drought.
Seven Colorado River states failed to come up with a plan to cut up to 25% of their river water usage.
Now some lawmakers are calling on the federal government to take more aggressive action.