It might seem like things are smooth sailing on the Colorado River.

We haven’t seen headlines about its largest reservoir, Lake Mead, heading for an imminent crash since the wet winter of 2022.

Lake levels have stabilized, in large part because Arizona, California and Nevada (the three states that rely on Lake Mead) are on track to use less water than any time since the 1960s.

And so, in an election with a very full two-page ballot, it might be easy to overlook the race for Central Arizona Water Conservation District.

The nonpartisan board oversees the Central Arizona Project, the 336-mile canal that brings Colorado River water to residents, businesses and tribes in metro Phoenix, Pinal County and Tucson.

Two-thirds of its 15 members represent metro Phoenix, and half of those seats are up for election this year.

This race in the past has drawn a dozen or more candidates for five seats. This year, though, just six candidates are vying to fill those six-year terms.

And........

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