TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Arizona farmers are experiencing a cut to their allocation of Colorado River water for the first time.
The Bureau of Reclamation declared a water shortage in Lake Mead in August 2021, triggering the first ever Tier 1 shortage in 2022.
The reductions called for by the shortage will result in about 20% less water allocated to the state from the Colorado River supply, which will be taken from the Central Arizona Project system, impacting agricultural users.
Water supplies to cities and tribes will not change as a result of the Tier 1 shortage.
Regulators say there is a chance that Tier 2 restrictions could be enacted in August.
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Anne Simmons is the digital executive producer for KGUN 9. Anne got her start in television while still a student at the University of Arizona. Before joining KGUN, she managed multiple public access television stations in the Bay Area and has worked as a video producer in the non-profit sector. Share your story ideas and important issues with Anne by emailing anne.simmons@kgun9.com or by connecting on Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.
