How much Colorado River water is Arizona entitled to annually?

Arizona is entitled to 2.8 million acre-feet of Colorado River water annually due to the framework established by the Colorado River Compact and the subsequent Arizona v. California Supreme Court decision. This allocation is part of a larger distribution of Colorado River water among the basin states, which includes Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, California, and Arizona.

The Compact, developed in 1922, delineates the rights to water in the Colorado River system among the seven states. Arizona's current allocation reflects its development of water resources and senior rights established in earlier negotiations. This allocation also accounts for the need to support both agricultural and urban water demands within the state, given its growing population and economic needs.

The other options reflect amounts that are either higher or lower than Arizona's established entitlement, not aligning with the official agreements and decisions that guide water rights in the Colorado River system. Knowing the specific amount that Arizona is entitled to can help in understanding the state’s water management strategies and challenges in balancing supply and demand.