Upper Basin States Conserve Water for Colorado River

Upper Basin states, including Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, are exploring innovative methods to establish a conservation pool at Lake Powell. This reserve could help stabilize the drought-stricken Colorado River and serve as a safety net for future shortages. The plan, set in 2019, allocated 500,000 acre-feet for the pool, but its set to expire soon and hasnt been utilized. The main challenge lies in determining who should bear the brunt of cuts during dry spells. The Lower Basin has pledged 1.5 million acre-feet annually and is seeking additional help from the Upper Basin. Upper Basin leaders argue that their cuts occur naturally due to mid-summer stream dry-ups, so any extra must remain voluntary. With agriculture consuming most of the water, states are looking for alternatives beyond just paying farmers to fallow fields. New Mexico is considering releasing 20,000 acre-feet from Navajo Reservoir to Lake Powell, benefiting fish populations. Utah is running a pilot program for voluntary initiatives, Wyoming has established a new program through legislation, and Colorado is focusing on ongoing projects like turf swaps and wetland restorations, funded by over $13 million in grants. The Upper Colorado River Commission is set to meet on March 24th to approve a provisional deal with the Bureau of Reclamation, which would track savings from diverse efforts and facilitate broader agreements. Officials express optimism about reaching a deal. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/5720764fa2c64c57