Lake Mead, thanks to advancements in hydrology and conservation efforts backed by the Biden-Harris administration's Investing in America agenda, currently holds 1075 feet of water, marking its highest level since 2021. The administration has also unveiled new system conservation agreements that mandate California water entities to conserve up to 399,153 acre-feet of water in Lake Mead through the end of 2026.
The Department of the Interior (DOI) issued a news release on March 5 stating that the immediate failure of the Colorado River System’s reservoirs is less likely. On the same day, the DOI announced further progress with Mexico regarding water conservation from the Colorado River System. This includes three system conservation implementation agreements aimed at conserving nearly 400,000-acre feet of water in Lake Mead.
Laura Daniel-Davis, acting deputy secretary of the DOI said, "President Biden made a promise to the American people to invest in communities, bolster climate resiliency, and protect our nation’s natural and cultural resources – and our collective efforts to protect the stability of the Colorado River System reflect significant efforts to uphold that promise. Today’s historic action to protect this precious resource and the communities that rely on it is made entirely possible by the President’s Investing in America agenda, which is funding crucial projects to conserve water, increase efficiency of water use, and upgrade existing infrastructure."
The Bureau of Reclamation, a division within DOI, published a supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) outlining options for updating operating guidelines for Glen Canyon and Hoover Dams with an aim to conserve multiple millions of acre-feet of water. The document details proposed actions such as revising 2007 interim guidelines for operation of these dams this year as solutions for continued low-runoff conditions.
According to SEIS document, potential changes may include reducing releases from Glen Canyon Dam which could affect downstream areas including Lake Mead's reservoir elevations. The preferred alternative is to modify guidelines for Glen Canyon and Hoover Dam, but no option will be selected until the Record of Decision is presented by the appropriate agency.
Camille Calimlim Touton, Commissioner for the Bureau of Reclamation, expressed gratitude towards their partners in a March 5 news release from the Department of the Interior. She said, "Reclamation is grateful to our partners across the Basin – including the Basin states Governor’s Representatives, the 30 Basin Tribes, water managers, farmers and irrigators, municipalities, power contractors, non-governmental organizations, and other partners and stakeholders – for their unprecedented level of collaboration throughout this process."
