Trump Administration Prepures Emergency Plan for Colorado River as Arizona Governor Pushes Federal Action

The Trump administration is preparing to take drastic action to keep the West's most important river flowing after a warm, dry winter has forecasters warning of record low flows down the waterway this year.

Gov. Katie Hobbs has made her most direct case yet for federal intervention in Colorado River negotiations, arguing that Arizona's water supply underpins the nation's defense, food and technology sectors.

National Security at Stake

"No other state can make that economic case, that national security case that Arizona can make on Colorado River water," Hobbs said.

She cited Arizona-made semiconductors, Tomahawk missile production and the state's role supplying 90% of the nation's winter leafy greens, all dependent on groundwater and canal-delivered Colorado River water.

The remarks echo a pitch Hobbs is making directly to the Trump administration, as seven Western states remain deadlocked over how to divide a shrinking river.

Federal Emergency Plan Underway

The Interior Department's Bureau of Reclamation is planning to cut releases out of one of the Colorado River's biggest reservoirs — Lake Powell — to the lowest level that's legally permissible.

At the same time, officials are moving a massive amount of water from upstream reservoirs to bolster Powell's water levels.

"This action is essential to protect reliable water delivery, preserve key infrastructure, and maintain flexibility in our operations," Reclamation spokesperson Mary Carlson said.

The emergency actions could begin as soon as next week, according to an internal report from Arizona's top water officials obtained by POLITICO.

State and Federal Tensions

On the state budget, Gov. Hobbs rejected claims by Republican legislative leaders that she walked away from negotiations.

"I'm going to set the record straight right here," she said. "I put out my budget in early January as required. My budget's been on the table, my priorities — everyone in Arizona can see them."

She accused Republicans of blocking progress without offering an alternative.

"All the Republicans in the legislature have done is say, 'That's not a balanced budget, we can't do that.' Then they keep sending me irresponsible tax breaks for special interests and billionaires without showing Arizonans how they're going to pay for that ... I don't know how to negotiate with people who won't show us a plan of how they want to balance the budget," she said.

The budget impasse also blocks any suspension of the state gas tax, which Hobbs said requires legislative action.

Congress Pushes for Drought Funding

Arizona Congressmen Andy Biggs and Greg Stanton joined forces to request the release of drought mitigation funding.

Congress set aside $4 billion in 2022 for drought mitigation efforts as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. But that funding is set to expire in September, and not all of it has been released.

"Reclamation leadership, in front of numerous congressional staff, indicated they want to use these resources as a carrot, if you will, to get an agreement done between the states," Stanton said.

The basin states have not come to an agreement among themselves, and have blown past multiple deadlines to come up with a new water deal.

Biggs and Stanton sent a joint letter urging the Bureau of Reclamation and the executive branch's Office of Management and Budget to spend the rest of the money now, to the tune of at least $500 million.

By working together, Stanton said they want to make it clear that this is not a partisan issue, but something that the entire river basin desperately needs.

"We're in a really difficult spot on the river. It's really been a bad year, so we need those resources now to get important projects that will help shore up the health of the river. We need to get those resources out now before the money runs out," Stanton said.

He said he doesn't know if other states are making similar demands, but said his and Biggs' request isn't just about Arizona.

"This is for the overall health of the river," he said.

Economic Pressures Mount

As Hobbs campaigns for re-election, that affordability is the dominant issue on voters' minds.

"I am hearing about costs, whether that's higher gas prices right now, tariffs that are impacting everything, small businesses, prices at the grocery store, you name it," she said.

She listed border security as a secondary concern to voters, but still important.

"From a lot of Arizonans, border security has been a top issue. It remains a top issue," she said. "Right now, most people would tell you the border is pretty secure. I would agree with that. But we can't take our foot off the gas in terms of, 'We solved this problem, it's gone away.' If we walk away from it, then we have problems again."

Arizona's Strategic Advantage

Hobbs made the federal case for Arizona's unique position.

"I've been very vocal on asking the federal government to step in and support Arizona's position, making sure that we get the share of Colorado River water that we are owed, and that is critical to the President's agenda," she said.

The administration's emergency plans include potentially cutting Lake Powell to its legally permissible minimum of 3,500 feet while simultaneously moving water from upstream reservoirs to maintain the reservoir above that threshold.

The report says Reclamation's plans are not yet final but that the emergency actions could begin as soon as next week.