The MCWA was officially formed in 1995 and is comprised of representatives of the governing boards of Lake Havasu City, Bullhead City, City of Kingman, Mohave Valley Irrigation & Drainage District, Golden Shores Water Conservation District, Mohave Water Conservation District and Mohave County.

Our story

The catalyst which brought the Mohave County Water Authority (“MCWA”) together was the Department of the Interior’s notice to the City of Kingman that their 18,500 acre feet of 4th priority main stream water contract was going to expire due to lack of beneficial use. In order to keep this water within Mohave County, the entities worked together in creating legislation (A.R.S. § 45-2201) to take the assignment of the Kingman Colorado River contract in exchange for providing funds to Kingman to develop its groundwater resources. The MCWA was officially formed in 1995. The MCWA is comprised of representatives of the governing boards of Lake Havasu City, Bullhead City, City of Kingman, Mohave Valley Irrigation & Drainage District, Golden Shores Water Conservation District, Mohave Water Conservation District, all of which had a 4th, 5th or 6th priority mainstream Colorado River contract with the Department of the Interior for municipal and industrial use. Mohave County was added as a member during the legislative lobbying process though it does not have a Colorado River contract. As the Colorado River is Mohave County river communities’ only source of water at this time (there is no ground water backup), MCWA continues to work on and explore permanent and shortage supply issues.

What We've Achieved

  • Through May, 2014 contributed more than $7.7M to the Kingman Grant Fund for development of water supplies.

  • Successfully lobbied for inclusion in the Arizona Water Settlements Act for the restoration of 3,500 a/f of 4th priority water.

  • Negotiated favorable treatment of Colorado River mainstream 4th priority users in the Arizona Shortage Sharing Agreement.

  •  Acquired additional 4th priority water from the Cibola Valley Irrigation and Drainage District allocated to our members as follows:

  • Bullhead City: 2,139 a/f

  • Lake Havasu City: 2,139 a/f


  • Negotiated agreement with the Arizona Water Banking Authority for banking water on behalf of 4th priority mainstream users to firm their supplies against future shortages and an agreement with CAWCD to recover the banked water in exchange for agreeing not to take water off the Colorado River in times of shortage.

  • Acquired initial Kingman contract (18,500 a/f) though reduced by 3,500 a/f for Indian use.  This initial 15,000 a/f was allocated as follows:

  • Bullhead City: 6,000 a/f

  • Lake Havasu City: 6,000 a/f

  • Mohave Water Conservation District:3,000 a/f

    The cost in 1994 was $500 a/f, 90% of which goes to Kingman for development of its groundwater resources.