The Southwest is tipping on the precipice of indecision. For more than 100 years the Colorado River’s water has been split between seven states, Native American tribes and Mexico thanks to a compact that experts say was written using flawed data. There was never enough water to go around, and beneath the crushing weight of longer droughts and hotter weather, everyone is caught between the Law of the River and reality. Cuts are coming; in 2023 the Colorado River’s Lower Basin states -- California, Arizona and Nevada -- agreed to use less water for three years. But that’s a drop in the bucket, and some are eying agricultural land as the silver bullet to water conservation. Sure, in Colorado, agriculture uses 90% of the water. But what happens when fields are fallowed, storefronts shuttered, and water bills blow up? That is a snapshot of the knife’s edge the Southwestern U.S. walks, staring into a shrinking river: Spring runoff is becoming more unpredictable, the compact that was supposed to keep everyone whole hamstrung us from the start, and the most obvious place to start with water conservation could have ripple effects that we’re not ready for. More local videos here: https://youtube.com/@9news Subscribe to NEXT: https://youtube.com/@Nexton9NEWS Stay connected: 9NEWS Website: https://www.9news.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ilike9news Twitter: https://twitter.com/9NEWS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/9newsdenver/ Download the 9NEWS App: https://www.9news.com/appredirect/ Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER: https://www.9news.com/email 9NEWS (KUSA) is located in Denver, Colorado.