BUREAU OF RECLAMATION CALLS FOR EMERGENCY ELEVATION STABILIZATION MEASURES
In calendar year 2022, the Colorado River is in a Tier 1 shortage under the 2007 Guidelines resulting in Nevada and Arizona making required Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) and 500+ plan contribution. Even with the implementation of these measures, storage in the Colorado River reservoir system continues to decline. Reports indicate system reservoir storage has declined nearly 5 million acre feet in the last twelve months and more than 10 million acre feet over the past three years. The current hydrology projections indicate Lake Mead could hit elevation 1025' at some point in 2023 without additional conservation efforts and reduced consumption.
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing June 14, 2022 to "Examine Short and Long Term Solutions to Extreme Drought in the Western U.S." Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton testified before the committee reporting dire Colorado River hydrology and stating the Colorado River region will need to cut usage between 2-4 million acre feet in 2023 and in each subsequent year to protect critical reservoir elevations. She shared the Bureau is talking with the seven basin states to develop a plan to achieve these reduction in the next sixty days.
IVH2O and other agricultural stakeholder organizations are meeting with Imperial Irrigation District to discuss and provide input regarding local conservation/consumption saving options.
Link to view Senate Committee video of hearing is provided below.
Additional details and developments will be reported in future newsletters.
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