What is the purpose of the Colorado River Compact as it relates to Arizona?

The purpose of the Colorado River Compact is to allocate Colorado River water among the basin states, which includes Arizona. Established in 1922, this agreement divides the water resources of the Colorado River among the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Each state is assigned a specific amount of water they are entitled to use, which helps to ensure equitable distribution and prevent conflicts over water resources in a region that relies heavily on the river for agricultural, municipal, and recreational purposes.

The compact is crucial for Arizona, as the state depends significantly on the Colorado River for its water supply. Understanding this allocation is essential for managing water rights and planning for future water needs within the state.

The other options pertain to different aspects of water management or regulation. Regulating water quality standards is not the primary function of the compact; rather, it focuses on distribution. Similarly, determining groundwater levels is outside the scope of the compact, as it specifically addresses surface water allocations. Lastly, while stopping pollution is critical for maintaining healthy water systems, it is not relevant to the compact's main purpose of allocation.