Upper Colorado News & Highlights
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News Update – July 22, 2021
Lake Powell set to hit record low
In the next few days, Lake Powell's water surface elevation will drop below 3,555.10 feet, which was the previous record low reached back in April 2005 following the initial years of the drought.
Lake Powell's elevation is expected to drop another two feet by the end of July and will likely continue to decline until next year's spring runoff into the Colorado River begins.
To further help put things into perspective, since its pre-drought high elevation of 3,700 feet (95% capacity) in September 1999, Lake Powell has dropped more than 145 vertical feet, lost 16 million-acre feet of water (enough to service 64 million suburban households annually) and is currently at 33% capacity.
In anticipation of increasingly severe drought, the Upper Basin states and Reclamation entered into a Drought Response Operations Agreement in 2019. Under this agreement, we initiated delivery of supplemental water to Lake Powell.
We will continue to closely monitor conditions and projections as we work with the seven Colorado Basin states on a Drought Response Operations Plan in the coming months.
You can visit our website to view the current elevation at Lake Powell. -
News Release – July 16, 2021
DURANGO, Colo. - The Bureau of Reclamation invites members of the press and public to a virtual meeting where negotiations will continue for a Cutter Lateral Transferred Works contract with the Navajo Nation and the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority. The contract is for operational, maintenance, and replacement of federally owned Cutter Lateral features of the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project, located near Bloomfield, New Mexico. Read More
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News Release – July 16, 2021
SALT LAKE CITY – The Bureau of Reclamation today released the July 24-Month Study, confirming declining hydrologic conditions for the Colorado River system. To protect Lake Powell’s target elevation, the study incorporates the implementation of drought operations under the Upper Basin Drought Response Operations Agreement. Read More
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News Release – July 15, 2021
Pineview Dam road closures for repairsOGDEN, Utah - The Bureau of Reclamation announced today that Highway 158 over Pineview Dam will be periodically closed during the summer and fall of 2021 to complete necessary repairs and maintenance work at the dam. The maintenance will involve repairs to the spillway radial gates, which is vital in keeping the dam in good working order. Water releases and reservoir levels will not be impacted by the maintenance. Read More
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News Release – July 8, 2021
SALT LAKE CITY - As one element of the ongoing implementation of the 2019 Drought Contingency Plans for the Colorado River Basin, the Bureau of Reclamation today released additional 5-year projections on the Colorado River System based on June 2021 conditions. Read More
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News Release – July 6, 2021
PAGE, Ariz. - The Bureau of Reclamation urges those recreating on or along the Colorado River through Glen and Grand canyons to exercise increased caution as summer energy demands may cause rapid changes to the river’s flow. Unscheduled fluctuations in water releases may occur without notice. Vessels should be secured to withstand potential changes in water levels and campers should avoid setting camp where a sudden river rise could reach tents or other camping supplies. Read More
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News Release – July 6, 2021
Water and fish managers prepare for impacts of drought on the Middle Rio Grande
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - As drought conditions persist in the Middle Rio Grande, the Bureau of Reclamation and other water and fish managers are preparing for intermittent river conditions, drying in the Albuquerque area, and taking action to support the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow. Read More
- News Release – June 22, 2021
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The Bureau of Reclamation invites members of the press and public to the third virtual meeting with the Orchard Mesa Irrigation District and Grand Valley Water Users Association to negotiate a lease of power privilege contract. The lease will deliver on a Department of the Interior commitment to facilitate development of non-federal hydropower generation on Reclamation projects. The proposed Vinelands Power Plant would be constructed near Palisade, Colorado, adjacent to the existing Grand Valley Power Plant. The federally owned Grand Valley Power Plant will be decommissioned. Read More
- News Release – June 16, 2021
WASHINGTON - The Bureau of Reclamation announced that Carly Jerla will lead the Department of the Interior's efforts, as a senior water resources program manager, to develop updated operating rules for Colorado River reservoirs. The Colorado River sustains ecosystems and economies across the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. A number of operating rules and agreements within the United States and with the Republic of Mexico expire at the end of 2025. Read More
- News Release – June 22, 2021
Reclamation’s July 24-Month Study implements contingency operations in the Upper Colorado River Basin
Reclamation releases additional 5-year projections to support drought response planning efforts in the Colorado River Basin
Reclamation urges public to exercise caution below Glen Canyon Dam due to potential for rapid river fluctuations
Reclamation names Carly Jerla to lead effort for updated Colorado River operating guidelinesExplore
