Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Southwestern US States Close to Sealing Drought Deal
By admin
Published 6 years ago on
December 13, 2018

Share

LAS VEGAS — Water managers from seven Southwestern states that depend on the Colorado River for drinking and irrigation water are getting closer to finalizing an unprecedented drought contingency plan they may have to enact in 2020, officials said Thursday.
The federal government’s top water official, Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman, was expected to urge action by representatives of Indian tribes and government agencies from Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming during an address at an annual conference in Las Vegas.
A pact was supposed to be signed by the end of 2018, under threat that the bureau that controls the water distribution levers on the river would impose its own restrictions affecting drinking water to 40 million people and irrigation for crops in arid parts of U.S. and Mexico.

Supplies to California Also Could Be Curtailed

Arizona and Nevada would be the first states to feel the pinch if a shortage is declared as expected next year. Supplies to California also could be curtailed.

After 19 years of drought and increasing demand, federal water managers project a 52 percent chance that the river’s biggest reservoir, Lake Mead behind Hoover Dam, will fall low enough to trigger cutbacks under agreements governing the system.
After 19 years of drought and increasing demand, federal water managers project a 52 percent chance that the river’s biggest reservoir, Lake Mead behind Hoover Dam, will fall low enough to trigger cutbacks under agreements governing the system.
The Lower Colorado River Basin states of California, Arizona and Nevada want to keep Lake Mead behind Hoover Dam above a shortage declaration trigger point by using less water than they’re legally entitled to receive.
If the lake falls below that level, Arizona will face a 9 percent reduction in water supply, Nevada a 3 percent cut and California up to 8 percent. Mexico’s share of river water also would be reduced.

Continuing Water Deliveries to Irrigation Districts and Cities

Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming want to keep the surface of Lake Powell above a target level to continue water deliveries to irrigation districts and cities and also keep hydroelectric turbines humming at Glen Canyon Dam.
Lake Powell is currently at 43 percent capacity and Lake Mead is at 38 percent.
Water officials in most of the affected states have signed off on plans in recent weeks, including the key Central Arizona Project irrigation system and the sprawling Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which serves some 19 million people.
Arizona’s plan, unlike other states, still needs approval from state lawmakers. They convene in January.

DON'T MISS

Big Spenders: These Companies Are Giving the Most to California Legislative Candidates

DON'T MISS

Stock Market Today: Wall Street Drifts Ahead of Election Day, While Oil Rises and Yields Sink

DON'T MISS

Saints Fire Head Coach Dennis Allen After Seven-Game Losing Streak

DON'T MISS

Raiders Fire Offensive Coordinator Luke Getsy and 2 Other Offensive Coaches

DON'T MISS

Storm in the Caribbean Is on a Track to Likely Hit Cuba as a Hurricane

DON'T MISS

Israel Ends Agreement With UN Agency Providing Aid in Gaza

DON'T MISS

Demarcus Robinson’s One-Handed Catch in OT Gives Rams Win Over Seahawks

DON'T MISS

Trump, Musk and an American Masculinity Crisis

DON'T MISS

What One Tossup District Says About the Trump-Harris Battle for the Suburbs

DON'T MISS

Herbert Shines, Chargers Defense Dominates in Win Over Browns

UP NEXT

Immediate Threat: Mussel Invades California’s Delta, First Time in North America

UP NEXT

Lyft Pays $2.1 Million to Settle Case Alleging the Ride-Hailing Service Deceived Drivers

UP NEXT

North Korea’s Long-Range Missile Test Signals Its Improved, Potential Capability to Attack US

UP NEXT

Southern California County Official Pleads Guilty to Bribery Charge in COVID Funds Scheme

UP NEXT

Visalia Rollerblader Suffered Major Injuries After Being Struck by Vehicle

UP NEXT

Fresno County Man Indicted for Possessing Stolen Guns

UP NEXT

Anti-Semitic Incident at Oakland Cafe Raises Concerns About Rising Intolerance

UP NEXT

Schwarzenegger Endorses Harris, Warns Against Another Trump Term

UP NEXT

Will Noncitizens Be Able to Vote? This California City Will Decide Their Fate

UP NEXT

California Voters Consider Controversial Vacation Homes Tax in Iconic Lake Tahoe Area

Raiders Fire Offensive Coordinator Luke Getsy and 2 Other Offensive Coaches

9 mins ago

Storm in the Caribbean Is on a Track to Likely Hit Cuba as a Hurricane

12 mins ago

Israel Ends Agreement With UN Agency Providing Aid in Gaza

17 mins ago

Demarcus Robinson’s One-Handed Catch in OT Gives Rams Win Over Seahawks

43 mins ago

Trump, Musk and an American Masculinity Crisis

47 mins ago

What One Tossup District Says About the Trump-Harris Battle for the Suburbs

57 mins ago

Herbert Shines, Chargers Defense Dominates in Win Over Browns

1 hour ago

US Confirms Reports That Iran Arrested an Iranian-American Citizen

1 hour ago

A Vivid Trump-Harris Contrast in Campaign’s Grueling Final Days

1 hour ago

Harris and Trump Battle to the Wire in Swing States, Times/Siena Polls Find

1 hour ago

Big Spenders: These Companies Are Giving the Most to California Legislative Candidates

Nearly $100 million has been spent this year by corporate- and labor-funded committees in California legislative races, including more than ...

1 min ago

1 min ago

Big Spenders: These Companies Are Giving the Most to California Legislative Candidates

1 min ago

Stock Market Today: Wall Street Drifts Ahead of Election Day, While Oil Rises and Yields Sink

5 mins ago

Saints Fire Head Coach Dennis Allen After Seven-Game Losing Streak

Raiders
9 mins ago

Raiders Fire Offensive Coordinator Luke Getsy and 2 Other Offensive Coaches

12 mins ago

Storm in the Caribbean Is on a Track to Likely Hit Cuba as a Hurricane

17 mins ago

Israel Ends Agreement With UN Agency Providing Aid in Gaza

Rams
43 mins ago

Demarcus Robinson’s One-Handed Catch in OT Gives Rams Win Over Seahawks

47 mins ago

Trump, Musk and an American Masculinity Crisis

Search

Send this to a friend