The day many have dreaded for years occurred this month when projections indicated that Lake Mead’s level will reach the “Tier Zero” zone as of January 1, 2020; that’s the level at which mandatory cutbacks are activated by the federal Bureau of Reclamation. In May, the Lower Basin Drought Contingency Plan was signed by the states of California, Arizona and Nevada which requires that the states take less water when Lake Meade’s level reaches 1,100 feet above sea level. The plan also creates incentives for additional voluntary conservation of water to Lake Mead by the states. Additionally, Mexico, in a separate agreement, takes less water from the Colorado River.
Last year, the levels of the Colorado River and its reservoirs showed every indication that cutbacks would be initiated. Although many were hopeful that the levels would improve given the higher snowfall totals over the winter and greater runoff, the levels in Lake Mead are forecasted to reach 1090 feet will prompt the cutbacks.
This is alarming news for the estimated 40 million people who depend on the Colorado River and its tributaries along with the “more than 5 million acres of farmland from Wyoming to Southern California,”[1] but the region has been preparing for this eventuality. Whereas Arizona had previously been banking “excess” water, that water will now go toward Lake Mead. The Central Arizona Project, a water delivery system that provides water to Tucson, Phoenix and other communities, will see a reduction of 12%; however, CAP has voluntarily left roughly the same amount in Lake Mead since 2015, thereby lessening the impact of the mandatory reductions. Conservation efforts made by all states have also helped to increase Lake Mead’s level; California is projected to consume 10% less than allocated.
The drought contingency plans are in effect from 2020 through 2026. New guidelines will be negotiated next year to determine how to proceed after 2026. Currently, the Imperial water district in California is fighting the plan, calling for federal funding to mitigate the “worsening environmental crisis at the Salton Sea, which is shrinking and exposing dry lakebed that sends dust blowing into surrounding communities.”[2] The drought contingency plans allow for time to examine their effectiveness and to highlight conditions that are not being addressed.
For more articles related to Policy and Politics, click here.
[1] James, Ian. “First-Ever Mandatory Water Cutbacks Will Kick in next Year along the Colorado River.” Azcentral.com, The Arizona Republic, 16 Aug. 2019, amp.azcentral.com/amp/2021147001.
[2] James, Ian. “First-Ever Mandatory Water Cutbacks Will Kick in next Year along the Colorado River.” Azcentral.com, The Arizona Republic, 16 Aug. 2019, amp.azcentral.com/amp/2021147001.
Photo Credit: Howard Lifshitz, Flickr