Check out California’s 2025 accomplishments in the CRWUA 2025 Annual Report.
Here’s an excerpt:
California continued to demonstrate in 2025 its commitment to building a more sustainable Colorado River by reducing water use on farms and in cities, investing in new local water supplies and working to forge long-term agreements for future river operations.
By the end of the year, California is expected to conserve more than 600,000 acre-feet of water for the benefit of the Colorado River system. When combined with the 1.2 million acre-feet of system water conserved by the state in 2023 and 2024, California will not only exceed its 2023 commitment to leave 1.6 million acre-feet in Lake Mead by 2026, it will surpass that goal a year early. This water savings – California’s portion of the Lower Basin’s commitment to conserve 3 million acre-feet – has helped reduce future risks to Lake Mead after it reached record low elevations three years ago.
This exemplary conservation was made possible through partnerships and collaboration developed across the state between urban and agricultural water agencies and with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Additional system water savings beyond California’s 1.6 million acre-feet commitment are expected next year.
With Lake Mead out of immediate jeopardy, Colorado River water users in California focused in 2025 on building solutions for post-2026 river operations. The state remains committed to doing its part to ensure a sustainable Colorado River long into the future.