U.S. Department of the Interior announced possible guideline revisions for operating two major dams along the Colorado River to stabilize depleted reservoirs.

DOI  is considering three ways to keep water levels in Lake Mead and Lake Powell from dropping so low energy and water can longer be provided to seven seven Western states, Mexico and native peoples, according to an Oct. 28 news release. Public input is open until Dec. 20.

"We are taking immediate steps now to revise the operating guidelines to protect the Colorado River System and stabilize rapidly declining reservoir storage elevations," Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton said in the release. "Today's action brings new ideas and necessary measures to the table as we consider alternatives to revise operations to better protect Colorado River System in the near term while we also continue to develop long-term, sustainable plans that reflect the climate-driven realities facing the Colorado River Basin."

Reclamation also released a notice of intent to come up with a supplemental environmental impact statement about Colorado River water shortages and coordinated Lake Powell and Lake Mead operations. Reclamation may need to modify current operations and reduce Glen Canyon Dam downstream releases, which would impact downstream riparian areas and reservoir elevations at Lake Mead. 

To protect Hoover Dam operations, system integrity and public health and safety, Reclamation also may need to modify current operations and reduce Hoover Dam downstream releases, according to the notice of intent.

“The Interior Department continues to pursue a collaborative and consensus-based approach to addressing the drought crisis afflicting the West. At the same time, we are committed to taking prompt and decisive action necessary to protect the Colorado River System and all those who depend on it,” Secretary Deb Haaland said in the release. “Revising the current interim operating guidelines for Glen Canyon and Hoover Dams represents one of many critical departmental efforts underway to better protect the system in light of rapidly changing conditions in the basin.”