Persistent drought affecting the Colorado River watershed has led to a concerted effort by Section 5 contractors in the Upper and Lower basins to develop what has become known as a Drought Contingency Plan to arrest the declining elevation at both Lake Mead and Lake Powell.

Draft agreements among the parties were released to the public in October, and the Imperial Irrigation District is now releasing draft documents that would, if adopted by both IID and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, establish a framework for California contributions, in the form of storage, under an expanded Intentionally Created Surplus program that would support the public policy aims of a Lower Basin DCP.