The future of the American West hangs in the balance this week. Seven states remain deadlocked over who should face massive water cuts from the Colorado River. These cuts are needed to save the river from collapse. A critical deal must be reached by Saturday. The Colorado River flows 1,450 miles from the Rocky Mountains to Mexico. It provides water to about 40 million people across seven states and supports 5.5 million acres of farmland. It also powers $1.4 trillion in economic activity and cities like Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Las Vegas. The river sustains many ecosystems, including more than 150 threatened species. But it has been overused for over 100 years. Climate change has reduced rain and snow, cutting water supplies. Experts say up to 4 million acre-feet must be cut. One acre-foot covers a football field one foot deep and can supply water to three families for a year. A record snow drought this year worsens the crisis. Dr Brad Udall from Colorado State University warns, "There needs to be unbelievably harsh, unprecedented cuts". The states form two groups: upper basin (Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico) and lower basin (California, Arizona, Nevada). The upper basin resists cuts, blaming the lower states for overuse. The lower basin has already agreed to large cuts and demands the upper basin share the burden. After missing a deadline last November, experts doubt an agreement by Saturday. The federal government may impose its own plan, likely cutting lower basin water hard. Any federal plan could bring lawsuits. Legal battles would end in the Supreme Court. Water managers fear "deadpool"—when reservoir water drops too low to release downstream. Lakes Powell and Mead are at record lows. Experts say even federal interventions may not save the system if dry conditions persist. Rising temperatures mean faster evaporation and drier soils. Over 70% of water goes to farming, especially thirsty crops like alfalfa and hay. Farmers, not cities, will likely face the hardest cuts. "We have created a system that was supposed to provide certainty that fails us when we need it most," Udall said. Some hope remains for a short-term deal to buy more time, but harsh cuts are expected. Lawsuits are likely, with Arizona planning to sue if cuts are imposed. Environmental groups warn that legal fights freeze needed actions and threaten river ecosystems. Fourteen native fish species are already endangered. The river delta in Mexico is mostly dry. Conservation efforts have reduced water use by 18% in cities over 20 years. Still, experts say bigger changes are needed to adapt to a hot, dry future. "We are facing a system crash," said Matt Rice of American Rivers. "The river is not going to wait for process or politics."