On April 6, 2023, DOI announced the release of $233 million in funding to support the Gila Indian River Community and water users in the Colorado River System with sustainability and water conservation efforts. $50 million of the funding comes from IRA section 50233 investments in the Lower Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program.
The funding will ensure access to drinking water for families, farmers, and Tribes, and energize sustainability efforts to protect the Colorado River System and its communities from drought.
These conservation efforts will protect Colorado River reservoir storage volumes against climate change-driven drought, add nearly 2 feet of elevation to Lake Mead, and conserve up to 125,000 acre-feet of water in both 2024 and 2025.