Impact of Politics on the Colorado River Basin Water Agreement: In-Depth Administrative Analysis

Abstract

The goal of the Colorado River Compact was simple: equitable water allocation amongst the seven participating states: California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Wyoming, and New Mexico. In the years since the compact was put into effect there has been considerable debate over whether this goal was achieved. This debate has been exacerbated by lawsuits between the participating states, media attention, and intensified citizen and lobbyist pressures on government agencies and officials. In recent years, this controversy has become even more prevalent with record population growth and drought alert in participating lower basin states.