The Trump administration is preparing to take drastic action to keep the West’s most important river flowing to cities, farms and through hydropower turbines after a warm, dry winter has forecasters warning of record low flows down the waterway this year.
The Interior Department’s Bureau of Reclamation is planning to cut releases out of one of the Colorado River’s biggest reservoirs — Lake Powell — to the lowest level that’s legally permissible, while at the same time moving a massive amount of water from upstream reservoirs to bolster Powell’s water levels, according to an internal report from Arizona’s top water officials obtained by POLITICO.
The report says Reclamation’s plans are not yet final but that the emergency actions could begin as soon as next week.
“Due to increasingly severe hydrologic conditions, it has become necessary to implement additional measures in the near future to ensure Lake Powell remains above the critical elevation of 3,500 feet,” Reclamation spokesperson Mary Carlson said in an emailed statement. “This action is essential to protect reliable water delivery, preserve key infrastructure, and maintain flexibility in our operations.”
