(Photo via usbr.gov)

The commissioner of the federal Bureau of Reclamation will be in Tempe on Thursday to help Arizona water agencies renew drought talks.

An extended drought in the Southwest has led to Lake Mead levels dropping. States that use the river to sustain their populations are trying to finish a plan to leave more water in the lake in order to avoid more drastic cuts.

Arizona's talks stalled last year, holding up the entire Colorado River basin.

Tom Buschatzke is the Director of Arizona’s Department of Water Resources. He says the Bureau can present the river’s dire hydrology in a neutral way.

“They can serve as our technical expert who doesn’t have to take sides on one issue or another,” he said.

Thursday’s public briefing will be streamed online via the Department of Water Resources and the Central Arizona Project.