Alex Hager

The two largest reservoirs in the U.S., Lake Mead and Lake Powell, are at low levels and electricity generation is at risk. The federal government cut water deliveries and wants states to cut more.

Big cities like Los Angeles and Las Vegas that rely on the Colorado River have money to find water elsewhere. But an Arizona town on the shore of Lake Powell is also struggling with its water supply.

California is going to take 9% less water from the Colorado River at the request of the federal government, to keep Lake Mead from falling below the level necessary to generate hydropower.

Las Vegas is prepared to pay Southern California $750 million to drink water recycled from sewage. It's because of the southwestern megadrought.

Severe drought has states dependent on the Colorado River looking at alternatives. Desalinating seawater may be a viable supplement to some areas, but likely can't fix much of the river's deficit.

Severe drought has states dependent on the Colorado River looking at alternatives. Desalinating seawater may be a viable supplement to some areas, but likely can't fix much of the river's deficit.

Tuesday, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation officially declared the Lower Colorado River Basin has hit a "Tier 2" shortage, triggering new cuts in water usage for Arizona, Nevada and Mexico.

The Colorado River's reservoirs have declined so much that officials say major water cuts will be necessary as soon as 2023. This comes after years of unrelenting drought worsened by climate change.

California, Arizona and Nevada are facing big cuts in water from the Colorado river. Water managers' responses to the federal government's restrictions are now in.

Three western states and the federal government have signed a $200 million deal to keep Lake Mead viable. Millions depend on it for water and electricity. It's at a historic low due to climate change.