Basin Brief End of July Summary
The final days of July brought the clearest picture yet of how the federal government may manage the Colorado River after 2026. The Bureau of Reclamation released its Final Environmental Impact Statement for future operations at Lake Powell and Lake Mead, setting up a 10-year framework for managing the river through 2036. The current operating […]
Basin Brief: Reclamation Releases Final Environmental Impact Statement for Future Colorado River Operations
The Bureau of Reclamation has released its Final Environmental Impact Statement for future Colorado River operations, a major step toward deciding how Lake Powell and Lake Mead will be managed after 2026. The document comes as the current river rules near expiration. The 2007 Interim Guidelines, the 2019 Drought Contingency Plans, and several related agreements […]
Colorado River Pressures Intensify
July 16 reporting focused on what future Colorado River rules may need to account for: water users, reservoir levels, river health, and the cost of keeping the system operating. KJZZ reported that environmental advocates want future Colorado River rules to leave some water for the river itself. The article focused on the Colorado River below […]
Arizona Water Planning Intensifies as Colorado River Reservoirs Decline
July reporting continued to focus on how Arizona and the wider Colorado River Basin are preparing for reduced water supplies, with attention on Tribal water leadership, advanced water purification, and low reservoir levels. Lake Powell Chronicle reported on the growing role of Tribal Nations in Arizona water policy. The article focused on how Tribal water […]
Tribal Water Leadership Gains Focus as Colorado River Pressures Deepen
July reporting continued to focus on how Arizona and the wider Colorado River Basin are preparing for reduced water supplies, with attention on Tribal water leadership, advanced water purification, and low reservoir levels. Lake Powell Chronicle reported on the growing role of Tribal Nations in Arizona water policy. The article focused on how Tribal water […]
Drought Impacts Put Arizona Water Planning and Colorado River Resilience in Focus
July 13 reporting showed drought pressure moving from long-term forecasts into visible impacts across Arizona and the Upper Basin. In southern Arizona, the San Pedro River recorded zero flow at a key monitoring point near Sierra Vista. The Arizona Republic reported that the river ran dry there for only the second time in 122 years […]
Water Shortage Concerns Impact Entire Southwest
Reports show how water concerns are reaching different parts of the West, from city conservation programs in Arizona to tribal water settlements, drought impacts, and ongoing Colorado River negotiations. In Arizona, cities are encouraging residents to use less water. SignalsAZ reported that Surprise is offering rebates for eligible water-saving improvements. 12News reported that Scottsdale residents […]
Arizona Cities Seek Answers In Water Crisis
Arizona cities are pressing for clearer answers on water they stored underground as the state prepares for possible Colorado River cuts. KJZZ reported that Phoenix-area cities and the Arizona Water Banking Authority are in disagreement over how stored Colorado River water should be distributed during shortages. Since the late 1990s, excess Colorado River water has […]
As The Colorado River Is in Crisis, Is There a Backup Plan?
Arizona’s water coverage centered on a practical question: if the Colorado River keeps shrinking, how much backup water is actually available, and who can use it? KJZZ reported that Phoenix-area cities are asking for clearer answers about Colorado River water stored underground by the Arizona Water Banking Authority. The Water Bank was created in 1996 […]
Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam Face New Challenges
Lake Powell remained one of the biggest concerns. The Colorado Sun reported that low water levels are creating new pressure at Glen Canyon Dam, where federal officials are working to protect dam infrastructure as the reservoir drops. The report focused on cavitation, a problem caused when fast-moving water creates vapor bubbles that can damage dam […]