Feds Release Guide for Managing Shrinking Colorado River Resources
The federal agency managing the water supply for millions in the West has released a new guide for handling the increasingly scarce resources of the Colorado River. The document outlines five potential strategies, ranging from no action to imposing water cuts in the lower basin states, including California, Nevada, and Arizona.
Colorado River Management Options
One noteworthy alternative has been designed with input from conservation groups. This option aims to encourage states and water users to actively conserve water from the river. However, the Interior Department has not indicated a preferred choice among these proposals.
These scenarios, which fill hundreds of pages, will only proceed if the seven states—Colorado, California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming—fail to agree on a collective conservation plan by an impending deadline.
Deadline for Agreement
The current guidelines governing Lake Powell and Lake Mead are set to expire in August. These states have struggled to reach a consensus for nearly two years amid a severe drought and increasing demand for water. A recent meeting of top river negotiators in December did not yield a breakthrough, and the next important deadline is February 14.
Consequences of Inaction
John Fleck, a water policy expert from the University of New Mexico, expressed concerns that failure to reach an agreement could lead to judicial intervention for water management. “We risk handing management responsibilities to courts because we haven’t been able to take charge of our own fate in the basin,” he remarked. “That would be unfortunate and poses many risks.”
Current Water Levels and Conditions
- Lake Powell: 27% full as of January 11.
- Lake Mead: 33% full as of January 11.
Lake Mead, the nation’s largest reservoir, is critical for the Las Vegas area and has reached unprecedented low levels in recent years. Primarily fed by snowmelt from the surrounding states, it faces significant challenges due to prolonged drought conditions persisting for over 25 years.
Moving Forward
The Interior Department emphasizes the urgency of developing new management plans for the river. Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, Andrea Travnicek, stated, “In the face of an ongoing severe drought, inaction is not an option.”
A decision regarding future water management strategies is expected by October 1, aimed at establishing certainty for communities, tribes, and water users. The agency will accept public comments on the draft plans through early March.
This guide is crucial for managing the dwindling resources of the Colorado River, ensuring that the needs of approximately 40 million people relying on it are met.
