Authors of a new study on laws that manage the Colorado River are calling for change: They want to see water officials scrap an old rule and allow more water to make its way to major reservoirs.
In Colorado, when there’s enough water in the Colorado River for everyone to get the amount they’re legally entitled to, the river enters “free river conditions.” Once that happens, anyone, whether or not they have legal access to the river, can just take water out.
Brian Richter helped write the new study and would like to see the state ditch the free river rule.
"Getting rid of it would do very little harm to Coloradoans, but it would possibly provide a lot of benefit to Lake Powell and to the Colorado River system," Richter said.
Lake Powell — the nation’s second largest reservoir — could use all the help it can get. It’s less than 40% full after years of drought fueled by climate change and steady demand.
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