Officials from Arizona have hit a snag in negotiations over a plan to store more water in Lake Mead from the Colorado River. A 2015 multi-state agreement between Nevada, California and Arizona set up a drought contingency plan to prevent Lake Mead from hitting such a low level.

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If the level is reached it would trigger a federal shortage declaration. Not only would it be the first time this ever happened, but also it would force Nevada and Arizona to diminish each of their uses of the Colorado River.

Once the states approve this plan, there will be some federal legislation required to codify it. Alternative plans specifically geared to help Arizona have been offered. Two board members of the Central …