GOVERNING LAWS & DECREES
There are many governing laws and decrees that dictate how the Colorado River will be apportioned and operated. Collectively, these laws and decrees are known as “The Law of the River.” Elements of the Law of the River of particular interest to the Upper Basin include:
- 1922 Colorado River Compact
- 1928 Boulder Canyon Project Act
- 1929 California Limitation Act
- 1940 Boulder Canyon Project Adjustment Act
- 1944 U.S. – Mexico Water Treaty
- 1948 Upper Colorado River Basin Compact (created the UCRC)
- 1956 Colorado River Storage Project Act
- 1964 Arizona v. California Supreme Court Decree
- 1968 Colorado River Basin Project Act
- 1970 Long-Range Operating Criteria (LROC)
- 1973 Endangered Species Act
- 1974 Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act
- 1992 Grand Canyon Protection Act
- 2007 Interim Guidelines for Lower Basin Shortages
- 2019 Colorado River Drought Contingency Plans
- Ongoing: Colorado River Reservoirs – Annual Operating Plans (AOPs)
