Feds seek ideas on how to manage a drier Colorado River
For many decades, the Colorado River was managed with the attitude that its water levels would remain roughly stable over time, punctuated by alternating wet and dry periods. But in the face of possibly the river’s driest period in 1,200 years, a new approach is now needed to managing the river’s reservoirs — one that can account for “deep uncertainty” about future climate and runoff conditions, says the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. And for the next two months, the bureau wants to hear from the public about how it should go about operating reservoirs including Lake Mead, Lake Powell and other parts of the river system under such conditions.
Related articles:
- Newsweek: U.S. megadrought is worst for over 1,000 years: How long could it last?
- Esquire: Lake Mead Could Soon Be a ‘Dead Pool.’ It’s Already a Pool of the Dead.
- Farm Progress: Utah urges water conservation this summer
- ABC 15 – Arizona: Where does your water come from? A look at Mesa, Scottsdale and Tempe supplies