PHOENIX — A new proposal from Arizona and other Southwestern states aims to keep the Colorado River system from reaching a critical breaking point.

After more than a year of stalled negotiations, Arizona, California and Nevada are now voluntarily proposing deeper water cuts to help stabilize the river and protect water levels at Lake Powell and Lake Mead.

“This proposal reflects the creativity and commitment of water users across the Lower Basin who continue to step forward with solutions that support the river,” said Tom Buschatzke, Arizona’s Colorado River negotiator. “We have shown that collaborative, voluntary efforts and reductions that are certain can produce meaningful water savings.”

But even as states step in, experts warn nature may ultimately determine whether those efforts are enough.

“This conflict, this time we’re in, is something that truly will be in history books,” Kyle Rodrick with the Great Basin Water Network said. “This is a moment, a flashpoint.”

State leaders are calling the proposal a short-term “bridge” as they work toward a long-term agreement on how to share the Colorado River. The plan would save more than 3.2 million acre-feet of water through 2028. That’s enough water to cover nearly the entire state of Connecticut one foot deep.

Those voluntary cuts build on earlier reductions and come as water levels in key reservoirs continue to drop after a historically dry winter.

“If we had had a huge winter with huge snowpacks all throughout the basin, we probably wouldn’t be seeing this,” said Kyle Roerink of the Great Basin Water Network.

The goal of the proposal is to keep water levels high enough at Lake Powell and Lake Mead, the two largest reservoirs in the country, which are critical for delivering water and power across the Southwest. Experts say the stakes are especially high at Lake Powell.

“Lake Powell will be falling to the lowest point since it began filling in the 1960s,” said Eric Balken of the Glen Canyon Institute. “Without intervention it would fall below minimum power pool later this year.”

If water levels drop below that threshold, the dam would no longer be able to generate hydropower, and it could threaten the ability to move water downstream to Arizona and other states.

The future of the Colorado River system now largely rests with the federal government. Negotiations among the seven basin states over a long-term water-sharing agreement have stalled, and the Bureau of Reclamation is working on a new plan that could reshape how the river is managed moving forward.
https://www.abc15.com/news/state/new-federal-plan-could-shape-what-happens-next-with-colorado-river-water

Some experts say the divide between states remains a major hurdle.

“I think the lower basin states came to the table willing to make very serious contributions,” Balken said. “I don’t feel the upper basin came with the same level of commitment.”

While the proposed cuts could help stabilize water levels in the short term, it may only buy time. Long-term stability of the Colorado River system will still depend heavily on future snowpack and precipitation.

“If we have a similar winter next winter, it will be brutal,” Roerink said. “The actions water managers have to take will make today’s news look like a cakewalk.”

Any new plan would need to be in place by October 1, the start of the next water year.

The Arizona Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Saturday, May 2, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers

25-37-42-52-65, Powerball: 14, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning The Pick numbers

22-25-30-31-34-44

Check The Pick payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers

0-1-7

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers

10-11-12-15-22

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Triple Twist numbers

06-20-28-29-38-39

Check Triple Twist payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news and results

What time is the Powerball drawing?

Powerball drawings are at 7:59 p.m. Arizona time on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

How much is a Powerball lottery ticket today?

In Arizona, Powerball tickets cost $2 per game, according to the Arizona Lottery.

How to play the Powerball

To play, select five numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls, then select one number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball.

(Stacker) – Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in Arizona using data from AAA. Gas prices are as of May 1.

Arizona by the numbers

– Gas current price: $4.72

– Week change: +$0.08 (+1.7%)

– Year change: +$1.41 (+42.8%)

– Historical expensive gas price: $5.39 (6/17/22)

– Diesel current price: $5.80

– Week change: -$0.08 (-1.3%)

– Year change: +$2.30 (+65.9%)

– Historical expensive diesel price: $6.21 (4/8/26)

Metros with most expensive gas in Arizona

#1. Scottsdale: $4.90

#2. Peoria: $4.84

#3. Phoenix Proper: $4.82

#4. Glendale: $4.82

#5. West Valley: $4.80

#6. Phoenix-Mesa: $4.80

#7. East Valley: $4.80

#8. Yuma: $4.75

#9. Flagstaff: $4.73

#10. Lake Havasu-Kingman: $4.70

#11. Prescott: $4.69

#12. Sierra Vista-Douglas: $4.55

#13. Tucson: $4.53

#14. Pima County: $4.53

States with the least expensive gas

#1. Georgia: $3.80

#2. Oklahoma: $3.82

#3. Mississippi: $3.83

#4. Arkansas: $3.84

#5. Louisiana: $3.84

Read on to see which states have the most expensive gas prices.

#5. Nevada

– Regular gas price: $5.15

#4. Oregon

– Regular gas price: $5.21

#3. Washington

– Regular gas price: $5.61

#2. Hawaii

– Regular gas price: $5.64

#1. California

– Regular gas price: $6.06