The compact outlines how much water each state is entitled to and how the water will be managed and used. The compact was developed in 1922, when water demand in the western U.S. was much lower than it is today, and as a result, it has become increasingly difficult to allocate the river’s water among the seven states.
In recent years, the allocation of Colorado River water has become a contentious issue as the western U.S. experiences growing population, urbanization, and a prolonged drought. The water allocation has been the subject of numerous legal battles, and several efforts to revise the Colorado River Compact and allocate water more equitably have been proposed.