Conditions on the Colorado River have improved as a voluntary reduction in water use takes effect.

The plan, put forth by California, Arizona and Nevada, to voluntarily reduce water use is expected to keep the seven-state river basin stable, at least for the near future. The agreement and a good winter snowpack has resulted in raising water levels in Lake Powell and Lake Mead. The agreement was hammered out earlier this year after the federal government threatened to impose strict water reductions across the board. Imperial Irrigation District Director JB Hamby, Chairman of the Colorado River Board of California, said, " This is a victory for collaboration as an approach rather than conflict, which is where we started". California is responsible for more than half the cuts in water use and is expected to achieve the goal through implementing water efficiency measures and fallowing.