Arizona faces Colorado River cuts and worsening groundwater stress

New federal Colorado River rules began October 1, but Arizona's expected 760,000-acre-foot reduction does not begin until January 2027 and remains politically and operationally unsettled. Dry wells around Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, and Prescott highlight a separate groundwater crisis, while monsoon results and uncertain El Niño effects provide limited relief from long-term water concerns.