The Colorado River provides water to seven U.S. states, as well as Mexico. In the U.S., the river is divided into two portions, the Upper and Lower basins. Each basin is allocated *** million acre-feet (MAF) of water per year. Colorado is allocated the largest share of the upper basin, at percent, or some *** MAF per year. In the lower basin, California is allocated *** MAF.
The Colorado River supplies water for agricultural purposes, electricity generation, as well as drinking water to millions of U.S. Americans. However, extreme drought and overuse are drying up the Colorado River and draining two of the U.S.'s largest reservoirs - Lake Mead and Lake Powell - which has led to several states being issued mandatory water cuts to save supplies.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ can support your business.
CNN, & ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. (August 16, 2022). Distribution of the Colorado River's annual water allocations in the United States, by basin and state (in million acre-feet per year) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 25, 2026, from /statistics/1361173/colorado-river-water-allocation-by-state-and-basin-us/
CNN, und ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. "Distribution of the Colorado River's annual water allocations in the United States, by basin and state (in million acre-feet per year)." Chart. August 16, 2022. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 25, 2026. /statistics/1361173/colorado-river-water-allocation-by-state-and-basin-us/
CNN, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. (2022). Distribution of the Colorado River's annual water allocations in the United States, by basin and state (in million acre-feet per year). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 25, 2026. /statistics/1361173/colorado-river-water-allocation-by-state-and-basin-us/
CNN, and ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. "Distribution of The Colorado River's Annual Water Allocations in The United States, by Basin and State (in Million Acre-feet per Year)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 16 Aug 2022, /statistics/1361173/colorado-river-water-allocation-by-state-and-basin-us/
CNN & ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, Distribution of the Colorado River's annual water allocations in the United States, by basin and state (in million acre-feet per year) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1361173/colorado-river-water-allocation-by-state-and-basin-us/ (last visited July 25, 2026)
Distribution of the Colorado River's annual water allocations in the United States, by basin and state (in million acre-feet per year) [Graph], CNN, & ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, August 16, 2022. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1361173/colorado-river-water-allocation-by-state-and-basin-us/
