Colorado River Water Conservation Program

The Colorado River has been experiencing prolonged drought since 2000. Although recent hydrology has provided some relief, there is still concern that the ability to generate electrical power and provide water to its users would be compromised without additional actions. As a key stakeholder on the River, CVWD has been actively engaged in ensuring that the Colorado River remains a reliable resource for all of us.

To further mitigate the conditions on the River, CVWD developed a voluntary, temporary, and compensated water conservation program for canal water users who can demonstrate a reduction in Colorado River water use for calendar years 2025 through 2026 for up to 10 thousand acre-feet per year (TAF) or up to 30 TAF total. 

Public Workshop - March 11, 2024

PowerPoint Slides

Application and Agreement Forms 

• Conserve Colorado River Water Application
• Landowner Consent Form
• Grower Agreement 

Board Presentation PowerPoints

Board Presentation PowerPoint Slides July 9, 2024

Board Presentation PowerPoint Slides February 24, 2024

If you have additional comments or questions, email us at ConserveCRW@cvwd.org.

Program Details

The program starts on July 1, 2024, and ends on December 31, 2026.

• The conservation program compensates canal water users who can demonstrate a reduction in Colorado River water use for up to three years from 2024 through 2026.  
• Participants can select a 1, 2, or 3-year term. 
• The program pays $340/acre-feet (net and funded by the Bureau of Reclamation) based on water conserved against their historical water use over the most recent 5-year period.
• The amount is based on verified baseline historical use.
• CVWD will wave the Irrigation Water Availability Assessment (IWAA) during participation. 
• No groundwater substitution will be allowed, and the savings will be subject to a verification process.

Eligibility Requirements

• The program is open to all crop types.
• Must show conserved water in calendar years 2024 through 2026, depending on the selected term.
• To establish the baseline, the participant must have 3 to 5 years of consumption history between 2019 and 2023. 
• Must have consumption in 2023. 

Verification Process

• Closure of Meters. At the commencement of the Participation Period, the service meters to the Grower’s Land shall be locked closed, except in cases where this may not be practical.
• Inspection of Grower’s Land. CVWD staff shall periodically inspect irrigation service meters and well meters to ensure Grower complies with the Grower Agreement. As provided in the Grower Agreement, the Grower shall provide CVWD and Reclamation staff access to the Grower’s Land to verify compliance with the Grower’s obligations under the Grower’s Agreement. 
• Determination of Amount of Conserved Water. The amount of water conserved under the Grower Agreement will be determined by CVWD using the Historical Baseline of Water Use for each month and subtracting the amount of water applied to the Grower’s Land each month.