LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — At Paris Resort on the Strip, an issue that affects us here in the West takes center stage: the drought-stricken Colorado River.

One issue that concerns many is an indeterminate plan for managing the river system.

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But before the conversations and debates begin for the Colorado River Water Users Association Conferencesome participants loaded a bus to travel 38 miles from the Strip to Hoover Dam.

Joe: What brought you to the conference here today?

“To learn about the Colorado River,” Jerry Young said.

Young is from Tri-County Water in western Colorado, one of several groups in the valley for the river conference. He is one of several participants from states or organizations that depend on the river.

“It’s vital to my business and to our region,” Young said.

The Colorado River supplies water to 40 million people and produces hydroelectricity in seven states. Hoover Dam produces electricity for 1.3 million users in California, Arizona and Nevada.

From the inside to the outside, the group even came to the Back Bay to learn about each part of Hoover Dam.

Princesita Scott is an environmental designer for an engineering firm in Arizona.

“It was important to see how everything worked, I mean, we all take the river,” Scott said.

It’s hard to ignore the water level on the Lake Mead side. Currently, a plan for how to manage the river after 2026 is on hold.

Joe: Is this something you pay attention to?

“So with this population growth and continued drought, water resources are becoming more important every day, it’s this post-2026 pact that we’re looking at,” Young said.

The federal government has proposals on the table, but states have not agreed on a plan. The center of debate among states is who should be most affected by possible reductions in water allocations in the future.

Our sister station, Denver7, has covered all five federal suggestions for managing the river system. You watch their story below.

Options for managing the CO river could mean water reductions for CO

Bronson Mack of the Southern Nevada Water Authority tells me it’s hard to say if and how a plan will impact states like Nevada.

“What I can tell you is that all seven states will continue to work together, collaborate and try to reach consensus,” Mack said.

In January, a new administration arrives and the debated plan is on the minds of the people here.

“Everything impacts the future of water,” Young said.

The conference takes place on the Strip until Friday.

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