LAKE MEAD (KTNV & KNXV) — The Colorado River system, a lifeline for 40 million people across seven states, is in decline — as negotiations for water-sharing agreements approach a critical deadline.

The current guidelines governing use of the river expire in October of 2026, so decision-making should be ramping up for how Nevada and six other western states will share the essential water resource in the future.

VIDEO: Channel 13's Geneva Zoltek teams up with sister station ABC15 Arizona to report on water woes the southwest region faces Water negotiations still at impasse as levels decline at Lake Mead

In June, a top Interior Department official reportedly proposed a November 11th deadline for the states to release a draft agreement — or face a federal takeover of the decision-maki

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