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Hydrological cycles are measured in decades/centuries. Ideally, you’d start siting solar and batteries near Hoover Dam to rely on existing transmission infra. Nameplate capacity is roughly 2GW, so lots of transmission capacity available. Boulder City (to the SW of Hoover Dam) has some solar generation resources already, unsure if that area is close enough though. TLDR Plan for dead pool and inability to generate hydro power.

No one will ever vote for lower living standards explicitly. What can be done about it?

Any solution or lack of solution equates to decline in quality of life, and democratic systems are least efficient at pushing through big changes or unpopular policies.

Theoretically, the Department of Interior can impose cuts if necessary to protect reservoir levels. This would likely be challenged in courts all the way up to SCOTUS, and take years to resolve. It's a huge mess

Yes, this is the top story on CNN's website right now: https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/16/us/colorado-river-water-cuts-...