Aspen Journalism (https://www.aspenjournalism.org/)
As we head into our ninth year of operations, we take a look back.
Western Slope water managers are concerned a new storage pool of water may be filled with water from mandatory cutbacks in water use.
Storyboards featuring data visualizations, interactive maps, photos and videos help explain how water is managed in the South Platte Basin.
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.
