Nevada has sued the Trump administration over a new plan that would significantly cut the state’s Colorado River water supply, escalating a growing dispute over how the drought-stricken river should be managed.
The federal plan requires California, Arizona and Nevada to reduce their Colorado River water use by about 21% from 2027, while the four Upper Basin states face no mandatory cuts.
Nevada officials argue the plan unfairly places the burden on downstream states and could have serious consequences for Southern Nevada, including Las Vegas, which relies heavily on the river for its water supply.
The state says the plan violates federal environmental and administrative laws and is asking a court to block its implementation.
The lawsuit could trigger a wider legal battle over the future of the Colorado River, which supplies water to around 40 million people across the American West.