LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – More than 40 million people in seven states, including Nevada, rely on the Colorado River’s waters — but decades of severe drought have those waters steadily receding.
Water users up and down the River continue to practice serious conservation, but it may not be enough. A three-day conference here in Las Vegas brings together water managers, tribal leaders, and scientists to continue the quest for solutions and water savings.
“That’s not enough, the 1.5 million acre feet’s not enough, we need more, and that’s where we’re looking to others in the Basin to help.”
Arizona’s begging for more water, with California telling its neighbor – it’s already contributed.
“Hundreds of thousands of acre-feet being conserved, at great cost, either through fallowing programs, deficit irrigation programs, system efficiency, on-farm efficiency programs, the list goes on and on in the toolbox we used to make this massive amount of water move, it is possible and it provides a blueprint, a much-needed blueprint throughout the rest of the basin.”
And Nevada with a seat at the table for some difficult negotiations.
“Things are a little tense right now. We’re coming up on a 24-month deadline for coming up with a new way to operate the River, so there’s a lot of conversations about that.”
Water managers from all three states are among those gathering this week at Paris for the annual Colorado River Water Users Association conference. Preserving and conserving the river and its waters is this gathering’s sole focus.
During a panel discussion this morning, leaders from the Lower Basin States – Arizona, California, and Nevada – discussed what’s been accomplished, and what needs to be done.
“And we also flip water as well, in addition to the substantial amounts that we’re conserving over the past 20-years, moving significant amounts of water into Lake Mead as part of the interim agreements to be able to sustain Lake Mead through the interim period,” JB Hamby, California’s Colorado River Commissoner told the panel discussion.
“If we hadn’t done any of that, the elevation of Lake Mead today would be 921 feet above sea level, but instead, it’s 1,064 feet above sea level, that’s a difference of 143 feet,” concurs John Entsminger, General Manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority.
In fact, California conserved enough in just one year to fill Lake Mead three times — and still, it’s not enough.
If the states can’t come up with an agreement on water conservation, the Bureau of Reclamation will do it for them – with serious consequences.
“The Gila River Community would lose 49% of their water. The Tohono O’Odham 49%, Fort McDowell, San Carlos, those are huge reductions,” said Tom Buschatzke, the Director of Arizona’s Department of Water Resources.
He said Phoenix could lose 37 percent of its water if the Bureau of Reclamation makes the order. Tucson could lose 20 percent.
“These are really scary numbers for our water users .”
Nevada – which holds the smallest share of water – would also face drastic cuts – which is why discussions like this, and much more negotiation are necessary.
“I think ultimately we will come to an agreement, but you know, right now negotiations are pretty intense,” Entsminger shares with FOX5.
He also reassures SNWA customers — their taps won’t go dry anytime soon.
“We have a safe, reliable water supply here, we have a 50-year resource plan that shows we’re going to have a safe, reliable water supply for the next 50 years.”
California has the largest share of river water – largely because it produces much of the nation’s vegetables. Coincidentally it has contributed the most to conservation. You’ll see the evidence of that in Lake Mead as the winter progresses. It’s expected to rise by 16 feet.
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