Scottsdale Drought Plan Ready As Colorado River Water Concerns Grow

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Snowpack was thin this winter, reservoir levels remain low, and new Colorado River water-sharing rules are still being negotiated. For Scottsdale, that mix is a reminder of why the city has spent decades preparing for exactly this kind of moment.

City officials are urging residents to review Scottsdale’s Drought Management Plan, a phased framework that outlines how the city would respond if its Central Arizona Project (CAP) water supply gets cut. The plan is currently under review for updates.

Lake Mead and Lake Powell are still operating under drought conditions, and Colorado River headwaters snowpack this winter came in significantly below average.

The Bureau of Reclamation is negotiating new water-sharing rules with the seven Colorado River Basin states; whatever emerges from those talks will shape how river supplies are divided after 2026.

What the Plan Actually Does

Scottsdale’s drought plan doesn’t wait for a crisis to decide what to do. It lays out tiered responses that scale with the severity of supply reductions, from increased conservation outreach and closer monitoring of water use to temporary limits on outdoor watering, shortage surcharges and cuts to discretionary water use.

The city manager can activate initial response measures without council approval, as happened in 2022 when Scottsdale entered Drought Condition Stage 1. More significant steps would go before the Scottsdale City Council, and a cross-departmental Drought Management Team would coordinate the response if conditions worsen.

In a worst-case scenario, the city said its focus would be protecting public health, safety and economic vitality while keeping drinking water service running reliably.

Scottsdale Says It’s Better Positioned Than Most

Scottsdale isn’t solely dependent on the Colorado River. The city draws from a diversified water portfolio that includes Salt and Verde River supplies, reclaimed water and groundwater reserves banked for dry periods.

"Scottsdale has prepared for drought for decades," said Thyra Ryden-Diaz, Scottsdale Water’s interim senior director. "Our Drought Management Plan ensures we can respond responsibly while continuing to deliver reliable water service to our residents and businesses."

For now, the city is urging residents to keep conserving and to follow regional water news closely as negotiations and forecasts continue to shift.