Considerations for Assigned Water after Expiration of the 2007 Guidelines

Authors

• Kathryn Sorensen, Arizona State University
• Sarah Porter, Arizona State University
• Anne Castle, University of Colorado, Boulder
• John Fleck, University of New Mexico
• Eric Kuhn
• Jack Schmidt, Utah State University
• Katherine Tara, University of New Mexico

Document Type

Working Paper

Publication Date

1-2026

Abstract

As Colorado River supplies and demands reach razor-thin margins, new tools to provide adaptive capacity will play a critical role in sustaining communities across the West. We must reduce our consumption of water, while finding ways to cushion the impact. One of the most innovative tools for doing this, developed over the last two decades, is “Assigned Water” - giving users the ability to store conserved water earmarked for their own future use. Originally developed as “Intentionally Created Surplus” in the 2007 Colorado River Interim Guidelines, Assigned Water has been revised and expanded through U.S. Mexico Treaty Minutes and as part of the 2019 Drought Contingency Plan. While conceptually simple and demonstrably valuable - a savings bank for conserved water - it is crucial to get the policy tools right as Colorado River management rules evolve.

Recommended Citation

Sorensen, Kathryn; Sarah Porter; Anne Castle; John Fleck; Eric Kuhn; Jack Schmidt; and Katherine Tara. "Considerations for Assigned Water after Expiration of the 2007 Guidelines." (2026). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/uc_traveling_wilburys/2