- Seventy-six signatories urged Congress to fund drought work.
- The groups asked for at least $2 billion.
- The letter warned of a difficult Water Year 2026.
- The request includes conservation, efficiency, and new supply tools.
- The groups also called for long-term federal funding.
Thursday, May 14, 2026 — A broad group of Colorado River Basin organizations is asking Congress for at least $2 billion in new federal funding to help address worsening drought conditions, low runoff, and stress on major reservoirs.
The May 13, 2026, letter
was signed by 76 signatories, including agricultural groups, water providers, conservation organizations, Tribal interests, local governments, businesses, hydropower interests, and infrastructure stakeholders.
The letter was sent to leaders of the United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the United States House Committee on Natural Resources. It was also copied to members of the Colorado River congressional delegation.
Letter Warns of Severe Water Conditions.
The groups said Water Year 2026 is becoming “one of the most challenging hydrologic years in more than a century of recordkeeping,” with low snowpack, weak river runoff, and continued pressure on reservoirs.
They warned that difficult water supply decisions will be needed because of “severe shortages and operational risks” facing the Basin.
The letter asks Congress to create a near-term drought mitigation program with at least $2 billion in new federal money. The groups said the funding would build on existing Bureau of Reclamation drought investments.
Funding Request Focuses on Practical Tools.
The coalition said the money should support a broad mix of tools, including water conservation, improved efficiency, targeted efforts to develop new water supplies, and support for both engineered and natural infrastructure.
The letter said the Basin needs to do more than “simply endure from crisis to crisis.”
The groups also called for more transparency, more stakeholder input, and a program that extends beyond September 2026.
Long-Term Support Also Requested.
Beyond immediate drought relief, the signatories asked Congress to create a long-term federal funding mechanism for the Colorado River Basin.
They said drought, wildfire, changing hydrology, and limited water supplies are ongoing problems that cannot be solved only through emergency funding.
The letter said a more durable federal framework could help keep farms viable, support local economies, improve water conservation across sectors, and protect the natural systems that support the river.
Coalition Says It Is Ready to Help.
The signatories closed by saying they are “committed to being part of the solution.”
They said future progress will require a strong federal partnership, local guidance from Basin stakeholders, and funding that moves beyond short-term crisis management.
