But the region is battling a multidecade drought with rain harder to come by. By Anna Skinner On 1/18/23 at 4:42 PM EST. google_ad_height = 600; Learn more at, Photos: Heron Lake, New Mexico, August 2022, Data viz: Elephant Butte Reservoir levels, to increase the volume, depth and power of journalism, https://www.watereducationcolorado.org/fresh-water-news/, www.watereducationcolorado.org/fresh-water-news/. Shifting the period of record decreased the average unregulated inflow 1.20 maf. @) .=] j Bvq2 4=B4[YCO@p/e`5[ #("A3?M|Cd(Jje(B_il:.\7m=.{CZ&&q5O}NOB6jGptUEN1Dh'6dW30oLqmt1W#F/qy<5aJ5 LuQmB(JD'4z`9q#v k[ T In order to restore Lake Powell's levels, one expert said people must conserve water in the Colorado River's lower basin. (For comparison, the 1991-2020 total water year average is 9.60 maf.) Soil moisture conditions have improved over the last year across most of Colorados Western Slope, but thats not necessarily saying much because of how bad soil moisture conditions were heading into last years snowmelt runoff season, Moser said. Lake Powell was at 26% of capacity, 168 feet below its full elevation of 3,700 feet above sea level at . Upper Colorado River Basin regularly experiences significant year to year hydrologic variability. hb```)," By May 1, the spring-summer runoff outcomes are pretty well locked in, which means theres virtually no escape from a third poor runoff year in a row, Jeff Lukas, an independent water and climate researcher based in Lafayette, said in an email. We maintain a strict editorial firewall between our funders and our journalism. The unregulated inflow volume to Lake Powell during January was 361 thousand acre-feet (kaf) (107 percent of average). KNAUs Melissa Sevigny reports. 04:12 - Source: CNN The January 2023 24-Month Study probable maximum and the February 2023 24-Month Study probable minimum inflow scenarios were used to determine the range of probable outcomes. To view the current inflow forecast relative to past inflows, click on Lake Powell Inflow Forecast. google_color_border = "FFFFFF"; The basin states, in a response letter, expressed concern that the water level of Lake Powell would decline below critical elevations, making the dam inoperable. google_ad_client = "pub-0146338466817273"; These instantaneous release adjustments stabilize the electrical generation and transmission system and translate to a range of about 1,300 cfs above or below the hourly scheduled release rate. There are continued discussions when and how that same amount of water (0.523 maf) will be . The nation's second-largest reservoir is under pressure from climate change and steady demand, and is now . water-data.com LakePowell Water Database . Colorado River Basin Water Management: Evaluating and Adjusting to Hydroclimatic Variability. Reclamation will continue to carefully monitor hydrologic and operational conditions and assess the need for additional responsive actions and/or changes to operations. Water levels in Narrow Canyon had dropped enough to show canyon floor features not visible in earlier images. She can be reached at 720-398-6474, via email atjerd@wateredco.orgor @jerd_smith. At the beginning of water year 2023, total system storage in the Colorado River Basin was 19.54 maf (33 percent of 58.48 maf total system capacity). google_color_bg = "FFFFFF"; However, these responses can have a noticeable impact on the river downstream of Glen Canyon Dam. Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for elevations above 4000.Heavy accumulations of 10-20 are forecast above 6000, 3-8 to 4500 and several inches to valley floors. Human actions created the Salton Sea, Californias largest lake heres Scientists studying water supply focus on weeks following peak snowpack. In the image acquired on May 1, 2004, the reservoirs northwestern branch is isolated from the main reservoir; the shallow water upstream could not crest raised areas in the lakebed. Fresh Water News is an independent, non-partisan news initiative of Water Education Colorado. Changes in the northeastern reaches of Lake Powell are documented in this series of natural-color images taken by the Landsat series of satellites between 1999 and 2021. google_color_link = "0000FF"; The forecast isnt great, said Kyle Whitaker, Colorado River Manager for the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, one of the largest diverters of water in the headwaters region of the river. WEco is funded by multiple donors. A century of river flow records combined with an additional four to five centuries of tree-ring data show that the droughts over the past two decades were not unusual; longer and more severe droughts are a regular part of the climate variability in that part of the continent. Detailed Map of Powell The May report, released last week, is the final runoff prediction for the season. %PDF-1.7 % Cheap sewer pipe repairs can push toxic fumes into homes and schools heres Hard water: In these metro neighborhoods, few drink the tap water. Water Data for 20 days surrounding Feb 28, 2022. It can store about five times the average annual flow. At the beginning of the series in 1999, water levels in Lake Powell were relatively high, and the water was a clear, dark blue. google_ad_width = 160; Its better than last year, but well just have to see what the next two to four weeks holds for precipitation.. levels. The Bureau of Reclamation's most recent projections show Lake Mead dropping to 1,033.4 feet in elevation by the end of 2023, about 14 feet lower than the reservoir's current level. Last week, the Bureau of Reclamation announced extraordinary action to keep the water level at Powell from dropping too low, which could threaten hydropower production at Powells Glen Canyon Dam. Melissa joined KNAU's team in 2015 to report on science, health, and the environment. U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation. Water supply forecasts take into consideration present hydrometeorological conditions and use Lake Mead's water levels . Lake Powells side branches had all retreated compared to the previous years extents. The Bureau of Reclamation announced on May 3, 2022, two separate urgent drought response actions that will help prop up Lake Powell by nearly 1 million acre-feet (maf) of water over the next 12 months (May 2022 through April 2023). With low-runoff conditions and . Scientists say the current drought is the driest on record in the last twelve hundred years. The water levels at Lake Powell have dropped around 100 feet in the last three years. Upper Colorado Region Water Operations: Current Status: Lake Powell, Spring Snow Brings Moisture to Colorado Front Range, NASA Goddard Space The Colorado River flows from the Rocky Mountains in Colorado through the southwestern United States. By Leia Larsen. It took decades for Lake Powell to reach catastrophically low levels, and according to one expert, it'll take a long time to restore the levels, too. A Tier 3 shortage would impact the amount of . (Hugh Carey, The Colorado Sun), How Denver is spending the $41M from the Broncos sale, (720) 263-2338 Call, text, Signal or WhatsApp, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. 15 Day Weather Forecast SW Satellite Weather SW Water Vapor Lake Powell is down 6.18 feet from one year ago. Combined with water withdrawals that many believe are not sustainable, the drought has caused a dramatic drop in Lake Powells water level. //-->, Printable Version The unregulated inflow during the 2000-2022 period has ranged from a low of 2.64 maf (28 percent of average) in water year 2002 to a high of 15.97 maf (166 percent of average) in water year 2011. The northwestern side branch of Lake Powell remained cut off from the rest of the reservoir. Jian Wang of Utahs Center for Colorado River Studies says that means the projections may be too optimistic. Level 3 Shortage Condition 1,025 ft and below Elevation 1,090 ft Elevation 1,045 ft Historical Future As of September 20, 2021, the water elevation at Glen Canyon Dam was 3,546.93 feet, more than 153 feet below "full pool" (elevation 3,700 feet). Sunday, February 26, 2023 12:00:00 AM Level is 178.87 feet google_ad_format = "160x600_as"; hbbd``b`$WX)! Drop us a note at tips@coloradosun.com. Mitchell declined to discuss the pending drought operations plan. Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Geological Survey for comment. Antelope Point Marina on Feb. 3, 2022, in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area near Page. 159 0 obj <> endobj The sediment-filled Colorado River appeared green-brown. google_ad_type = "text_image"; Lake Powell Water Supply Outlook, February 1, 2022 Note: This publication is scheduled for revision. Arizona Public Radio | Your Source for NPR News, PublishedFebruary 28, 2022 at 5:00 AM MST. Lund said that throughout the reservoir's history, it has refilled to its original levels just once. Shortages have been implemented by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in areas like Arizona as water levels in the reservoir have consistently dropped for the past 10 years. Despite those releases, Powell dropped below 3,525 last month, hitting 3,523, another historic drought landmark. "As a result of this update, the median water year 2022 inflow forecast into Lake Powell decreased by 800,000 acre-feet," USBR stated in a press release distributed Thursday. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. google_ad_channel ="2397569894"; It wasnt just the Powell number that dipped, although the amount of runoff that makes its way to Powell each year is considered a good barometer for conditions basinwide. CNN's Bill Weir has more. She reported that, as of March 16, 2022, Lake Powell was at an elevation of 3,524.83 feet (ft.) with storage of 5.916 million acre-feet (maf) or 24 percent of capacity. Close Become a member Login My Account Logout Search for:Search News Education Health Coloradans Equity Sun Investigation Crime and Courts Culture Sports google_ad_width = 160; google_ad_height = 600; Previous forecasts showed this was possible and the Bureau of Reclamation announced on March 4 that a . Antelope Point Launch Ramp Bullfrog Main Launch Ramp water-data.com Lake Powell Water Database. According to the Bureau of Reclamation's website (on March 22, 2022), Lake The elevations listed in the August 2022 24-Month Study report reflected the projected physical elevations at each reservoir after implementing operations as described for water year 2023 tier determination purposes. Click for Details, Current Snowpack Conditions for Upper Colorado Basin. https://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/news-release/4294, https://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/#/news-release/4196, USGS site #09180500 - Colorado River near Cisco, UT, USGS site #09315000 - Green River at Green River, UT, USGS site #09379500 - San Juan River near Bluff, UT, USGS site #09380000 - Colorado River at Lees Ferry, AZ, Snowpack Conditions Upper Colorado Region Above Lake Powell, Lake Powell Inflow Forecast April-July Inflow Forecast, Current Water Year Inflow Forecast Monthly Outlooks, Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program, LTEMP - Long-Term Experimental & Management Plan, Report to Congress - Operations of Glen Canyon Dam - Water Year 2015-2016, National Park Service Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, National Park Service Grand Canyon National Park, U.S. Although developing snowpack in the area is "fairly good" and might stave off dead pool in Lake Powell for another year or so, according to Lund, the solution lies with people conserving water. Chris Outcalt covers Western water issues for The Colorado Sun. 2022, a day after Southern California delared a water . Consistent with Section 6.D.1 of the Interim Guidelines, Lake Powells operations in water year 2023 are governed by the Lower Elevation Balancing Tier (LEBT) with an initial projected water year release volume of 7.00 maf. Lake Powell is at low for water year and down 9.26 feet from the high. New 1991-2020 Averages being used this year. As air warms over time, less precipitation makes it to the reservoirs due to evaporation. Federal and state water managers have watched the water level in Lake Powell closely this year. The March 2023 releases are anticipated to fluctuate between a low of 5,276 cfs to a high of 9,641 cfs. Even in low emission climate scenarios (forecasts that are based on the assumption that future carbon dioxide emissions will increase relatively slowly), models predict precipitation may decline by 20-25 percent over most of California, southern Nevada, and Arizona by the end of this century. Across the region, water utilities are in high-alert mode, preparing for another dry year on the Colorado River and holding hope that the Upper Basin reservoirs can be protected as long as possible from large-scale drought releases. " 9`SADP zg Ab``#@ 7 3 These projections are critical for planning for an increasingly dry future in the Colorado River Basin, but a new paper from Utah State University says the model may still underestimate the risk. The 30-year average was updated in October 2022 from 1981 through 2010 to 1991 through 2020. On April 8, Reclamation announced it would likely keep more water in Lake Powell, reducing releases from the planned 7.5 million acre-feet to 7 million acre-feet, a move that could trigger emergency water cutbacks in Arizona, California and Nevada. Climate change also plays a part. Lake Powell