‘Expedited’ Measures to Save Colorado River From Drought Already Underway, Officials Announce

The Colorado River is one of many waterbodies affected by the drought in the US.

The US Department of Interior announced on Friday that it is launching "expedited" measures to possibly change water-flow operations on the Colorado River.

Interior stated in its list of potential actions that it would consider using its federal authority to limit water releases from the Hoover and Glen Canyon Dams to maintain water levels in Mead and Powell, the two largest reservoirs in the country.

This will also keep the capacity of the dams to generate hydroelectricity.

According to the Bureau of Reclamation, hydropower from the two dams is delivered to consumers in eight Western states.

However, because the levels of each reservoir are dropping so rapidly, experts worry that the two dams may eventually stop producing power.

The Colorado River

The Colorado River has experienced the worst drought in the area in 1,200 years.

Reclamation officials have been working with Western states, farmers, tribes, and cities for months to encourage significant, voluntary water cuts to prevent a full-blown crisis.

Since talks have dragged on, Camille Touton, the commissioner of Reclamation, has stated that the federal government will take independent action to prevent the collapse of the river system.

Negotiations and Proper Deals

An authority on the Colorado River said in an interview with CNN that Interior's announcement might serve as a reminder to the states that the federal government has the authority to end those ongoing negotiations.

Sarah Porter, the director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy - Arizona State University, said that It expresses the wish that a consensus could be reached, which would greatly simplify things for the bureau and the Secretary of the Interior.

It's unmistakably a sign that the bureau hasn't given up on taking unilateral action.

Lisa Lien-Mager, the spokesperson for California Natural Resources Agency, said that Even though California is upbeat, talks with states like Nevada and Arizona can result in an agreement.

According to Lien Mager, they are aware that if states cannot agree on water cuts, federal partners must be ready to take action to protect crucial reservoir elevations, Head Topics United States reported.

Glen Canyon Dam

Interior announced that a notice of intent stating the Bureau of Reclamation shall alter the Glen Canyon Dam's current operations and reduce its water releases downstream will be issued.

This would be carried out to ensure that the Glen Canyon Dam can keep producing power.

Interior also stated that to safeguard Hoover Dam system integrity, operations, and public health and safety, Reclamation might also need to constrain downstream water discharges from the Hoover Dam itself, Clayton News-Daily reported.

Dead Pool

Porter said that although in federal environmental impact statements, a "no action" alternative is common, Interior may find it useful to include one to highlight the catastrophic effects that inaction would have on the river system.

Porter said that the river is dangerously nearing dead pool conditions.

Deb Haaland, the Interior Secretary, stated on Friday that They pledge to act swiftly and forcefully as required to safeguard the Colorado River System and everyone who depends on it.

One of many crucial Departmental initiatives underway to better safeguard the System in light of the Basin's rapidly changing conditions is the revision of the current interim operating guidelines for the Glen Canyon and Hoover Dams, CNN reported.