The Department of Interior (DOI) released “necessary steps” to lay the groundwork for a consensus between Colorado River Basin states on managing the Colorado River in the coming decades.
“We have worked tirelessly over the past several years to bring Colorado River Basin stakeholders together for a transparent and inclusive post-2026 process that has fostered collaboration and compromise,” said Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton. “Today, we show our collective work. These alternatives represent a responsible range from which to build the best and most robust path forward for the Basin.”
The agency announced five proposed alternatives for the Post-2026 Operations of the Colorado River. While specific details of the alternatives were not released, DOI said they represent a wide array of potential actions to address the diverse hydrological conditions of the Colorado River Basin. These options incorporate elements from proposals by Basin states, Tribes, cooperating agencies and non-governmental organizations, reflecting ongoing discussions and collaborations with stakeholders.
As Basin partners work toward a consensus agreement, DOI said these proposals aim to balance the goals of fairness, sustainability and practicality in managing the Colorado River’s future.
Alternatives
The proposed alternatives outlined are intended to manage Lake Powell and Lake Mead collaboratively while ensuring the stability of the Colorado River system under changing hydrologic conditions.
The proposal noted common elements among the alternatives, including assessing environmental impacts, addressing water shortages and retaining flexibility for emergencies.
Alternative 1 focuses on protecting critical infrastructure using existing federal authority without requiring new stakeholder agreements. Lake Powell releases would range from 5-9.5 million acre-feet annually but could drop below 5 million acre-feet to safeguard Glen Canyon Dam. Lower Basin states could face shortages of up to 3.5 million acre-feet, allocated based on the priority system, which prioritizes certain water uses over others, and triggered by combined storage levels in Lake Powell and Lake Mead.
Alternative 2 incorporates ideas from Tribal nations, federal agencies and stakeholders, prioritizing infrastructure protection, ecosystems, hydropower and recreation. Lake Powell’s releases would be tied to its elevation, Lake Mead’s elevation, 10-year hydrology averages and Lower Basin deliveries. The plan emphasizes shared water conservation, with Upper Basin contributions stored in Lake Powell and Lower Basin shortages ranging from 1.5-3.5 million acre-feet.
Alternative 3 reflects conservation organization proposals, allowing for higher water releases from Lake Powell, with a maximum of 11 million acre-feet, exceeding other plans. It emphasizes greater Basin-wide conservation, particularly in the Lower Basin, with cutbacks of up to 4 million acre-feet, more than the 3.5 million acre-feet proposed in other options.
Alternative 4 is a hybrid approach integrating input from Upper and Lower Basin states and Tribal nations to promote collaboration and equitable water management. It introduces new storage and delivery tools for lakes Powell and Mead, accessible to Tribal and non-Tribal entities.
Depending on conditions, Lake Powell could release up to 12 million acre-feet supplemented by upstream reservoirs. The plan includes Basin-wide cutbacks during shortages, with Lower Basin conservation capped at 2.1 million acre-feet, and ensures Tribal Nations have a significant role in decision-making.
“The alternatives we have put forth today establish a robust and fair framework for a Basin-wide agreement,” said Acting Deputy Secretary of Interior Laura Daniel-Davis. “As this process moves forward, the Biden-Harris administration has laid the foundation to ensure that these future guidelines and strategies can withstand any uncertainty ahead, and ultimately provide greater stability to the 40 million water users and the public throughout the Colorado River Basin.”
The Associated Press reported that Tom Buschatzke, director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, acknowledged significant differences between the positions of Upper Basin and Lower Basin states during a call with reporters. While he noted “positive elements” in the proposed alternatives, Buschatzke said he needed more time to analyze them thoroughly. He declined to speculate whether future administrations would continue the current efforts. — Charles Wallace, WLJ contributing editor
