By

Prairie, JamesÌý1

1ÌýBureau of Reclamation, Upper Colorado Region

In 2012 the Bureau of Reclamation, in partnership with the seven Colorado River Basin States (Basin States), published the most comprehensive study of future supplies and demands on the Colorado River ever undertaken. The Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand Study (Study) confirmed what most experts knew: there are likely to be significant shortfalls between projected water supplies and demands in the Colorado River Basin (Basin) in coming decades.

Reclamation is committed to working with Colorado River Basin States and stakeholders to find solutions to meet our future challenges. Through the Basin Study Reclamation has provided a technical foundation to evaluate potential solutions and strives to continue advancing the decision making frameworks and data sets required to support diligent planning and collaboration between local, state, and Federal entities. Partnerships strengthened during the Basin Study are central to the next steps being taken to ensure sustainability of Colorado River Basin water resources.