Recent winter storms helped boost mountain snowpack in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and New Mexico. But water managers in the West are still concerned about forecasts for Colorado River supply.
Wyoming’s top water official Brandon Gebhardt said dry times are hurting cities, farms, and industry.
“As we continue to work with the other states to address the shrinking supply throughout the basin,” he said. ”These existing and very real impacts must be adequately recognized and considered in our discussions.”
One forecast showed similar water conditions to 2021 and 2022, when emergency water transfers were needed to help prop up the nation’s largest reservoirs. State leaders have asked for more frequent updates from the federal government into the spring.
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The combined amount of water in Lake Powell and Lake Mead is now the lowest it has been in nearly 70 years. -
Environmental advocates argue that new water-sharing rules can and should keep the river flowing for plants, animals, people and infrastructure. -
An important measuring site called the Charleston gage recently measured zero flow in the river. Experts say it's due to climate change and groundwater pumping. -
Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky said they’re taking a major step toward securing their long-term water outlook by directing their city manager and city attorney to potentially create a large water use ordinance for the city. -
Environmental advocates worry about the future of cool mix flows, which send water from Lake Powell to protect threatened humpback chub in the Grand Canyon.
