The Bureau of Reclamation announced Aug. 16 downstream releases from the Glen Canyon and Hoover Dams will be reduced in 2022 due to declining reservoir levels in Lake Mead and Lake Powell.
“Like much of the West, and across our connected basins, the Colorado River is facing unprecedented and accelerating challenges,” Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Tanya Trujillo said in a USBR release. “The only way to address these challenges and climate change is to utilize the best available science and to work cooperatively across the landscapes and communities that rely on the Colorado River. That is precisely the focus of the White House Interagency Drought Working Group—a multi-agency partnership created to collaborate with states, tribes, farmers and communities impacted by drought and climate change to build and enhance regional resilience.”
Lake Mead is at approximately 32% of average inflow, while Lake Powell is at 26% of average inflow.
For the first time ever, the federal government declared a water shortage for the Colorado River. Customers in Arizona, Nevada, California, and Mexico will see a reduction in supply as both reservoirs are extremely low. Lake Powell is 32% full and Lake Mead is only 35% full, CNN reported.
“Today’s announcement of a Level 1 Shortage Condition at Lake Mead underscores the value of the collaborative agreements we have in place with the seven basin states, tribes, water users and Mexico in the management of water in the Colorado River Basin,” Reclamation Deputy Commissioner Camille Touton said. “While these agreements and actions have reduced the risk, we have not eliminated the potential for (the) continued decline of these critically important reservoirs. Reclamation is committed to working with all of our partners in the basin and with Mexico in continuing to implement these agreements and the ongoing work ahead.”
