Facing ongoing drought, growing populations and dwindling supplies, Western states are talking about capturing every drop of water with projects like dams and diversions.
But some think competition could erode regional cooperation seen as crucial to managing the scarce resource.
Eight Western governors meeting in Las Vegas this weekend are due to talk about water quality and quantity.
Water managers from seven states come to town a couple of days later to talk about making sure 40 million people living in the parched Colorado River basin don't go thirsty.
Conservationist Gary Wockner of the Denver-based advocacy group Save the Colorado says he thinks states and cities are beginning to jostle for position amid a fear of empty buckets.
He calls it a fight for the last legal drop of water.
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