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Colorado River Faces New Management Plan Through 2036
1 Aug
Summary
- New framework to manage Colorado River reservoirs until 2036.
- Plan balances stability with long-term water use collaboration.
- Lower Basin states may bear brunt of future water reductions.
Federal officials have unveiled a new long-term operational framework for the Colorado River system, designed to manage Lake Powell and Lake Mead through 2036. This plan addresses ongoing drought conditions and critically low water supplies in the Western United States.
The Bureau of Reclamation's preferred alternative establishes an adaptive decision-making framework for the nation's two largest reservoirs. It seeks to balance immediate stability with long-term collaboration among the seven Colorado River Basin states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
This framework is crucial as the Colorado River Basin faces severe water challenges. Lake Mead and Lake Powell are significantly below historical levels due to over two decades of drought. The river provides water to over 40 million people, supports extensive agriculture, and serves tribal nations and Mexico.
Under the preferred alternative, annual releases from Lake Powell will range from 5 million to 12 million acre-feet. The plan permits Lower Basin shortages up to 3 million acre-feet and allows significant water storage in both reservoirs. Voluntary conservation in the Upper Basin is also included.
Future reductions in water use are expected to fall primarily on Arizona, California, and Nevada. The framework enables flexibility to adjust reductions every two years based on changing hydrologic conditions and reservoir levels, while states continue negotiations for a durable, consensus-based agreement.
