Aspen Journalism (https://www.aspenjournalism.org/)
The River District wants protections built-in to a potential new program that would fallow fields to bolster water levels in Lake Powell.
Environmental groups claim victory, but a water court judge still needs to bless the deal.
Many water managers support a voluntary water management effort, but there are concerns a mandatory program curtailing water use may also be necessary.
According to preliminary numbers from the Bureau of Reclamation, water year 2018, which ended Sept. 30, had the third-lowest unregulated inflow into Lake Powell at 4.62 million acre-feet. That’s just 43 percent of average.
If the severe drought persists, and Lake Powell dries up, some say Colorado will have to curtail to prevent a compact call.
Regional water district lays out guidelines to shape an emerging program to manage water levels in Lake Powell.
More water managers are talking about the reality of less water due to climate change.
A supporter of the project questions the project’s economic viability and its purpose and need.
Walker, Polis, Tipton and Mitsch Bush share their opinions on the prospect of additional storage and diversion projects.
State officials are working on plans to spur cutbacks in water use to prevent a compact call on the Colorado River.