Public comments on ‘unacceptable risks’ at Hoover and Glen Canyon Dams released

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Public comments on ‘unacceptable risks’ at Hoover and Glen Canyon Dams released

February 17, 2023

A sign on Lake Mead showing water levels at Port Hemenway in 2021. (Photo: Duncan Phoenix – KLAS)

Las Vegas (KLAS) — The U.S. Reclamation Service (USBR) has released a scoping summary following two online meetings in November and December on the operations of the Hoover Dam on Lake Mead and the Glen Canyon Dam on Lake Powell.

The agency said it needed to “revise its operational guidelines for Glen Canyon and Hoover Dam operations in the 2023-24 operational year to address the potential for sustained low runoff conditions in the Colorado River Basin.” I was.

according to USBR website“Reclamation will allow the potential impact of low runoff conditions in the coming winter (2022-2023) to normal operation of Glen Canyon and Hoover Dam during the interim period (prior to January 1, 2027).” We have concluded that it poses a risk that we cannot, therefore we need to quickly develop revised operational guidelines.”

Hemenway Harbor on Lake Mead. February 5 (Photo: Duncan Phenix – KLAS)

During the comment period, USBR received over 1,300 comments via email and mail. Comments include the public speaking out and large governing bodies such as the California Department of Water Resources, the Southern California Metropolitan Water District, and the Sierra Club.

The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner for the benefit of the American people.
U.S. Reclamation Service

Overall, there appears to be a majority of comments in favor of something being done, but at the same time, many people are skeptical that the government will allow public access to water, especially for recreational purposes such as boating and fishing. We want to ensure that access is protected.

Alternatives were plentiful. The main alternative scenarios are summarized by the USBR below.

Reservoir Operation Alteration Alternate or Federal Alternate: The comments provide recommendations on how recycling constructs federal alternatives, based on federal authority and applicable federal laws, regulations, and policies. One of the main components of this alternative is that recycling can continue to meet existing water supply and hydropower commitments.
Evaporation, seepage and system loss: Comments on this alternative request to develop federal alternatives to account for water evaporation, leaching, and system losses.
Framework contract alternatives: Comments on this alternative support the framework alternatives developed in coordination with basin countries and their stakeholders. This alternative describes management activities outside the settlement’s mandate that require commitment to implementation from basin states, such as amending drought contingency plans and implementing conservation measures at the state and local levels. . Commenters noted that basin countries are working together to provide a consensus agreement on recycling, and that recycling should continue to work with these stakeholders in the process of supplemental environmental impact statements. . Six Basin states (Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming) have submitted consensus alternatives (detailed components of this alternative can be found in the Colorado River Basin state representative filing). please refer to). California has submitted another alternative.
BlueRibbon Coalition/Recreation Alternative: Comment to consider recreational-based alternatives that prioritize maintaining the water levels of Lake Mead and Lake Powell to meet recreational boating needs, as described in the form letter summary above. (e.g. BlueRibbon Coalition’s “Road to 3588” plan). Other recreation-based alternative proposals include maintaining river flow to support rafting in the Grand Canyon and alternatives that preserve existing recreational facilities (boat launches, marinas, etc.).
conservation alternatives: Comments suggest that recycling designs alternatives that maintain the flow of the Colorado River and support ecosystem needs. Conservation-based alternatives also include reducing water allocations and implementing water conservation measures downstream.
Worst case drought alternative: Comments suggest that recycling designs alternatives to address ‘worst case’ drought modeling. Commentators expressed concern that existing hydrological modeling does not represent the full range of potential drought scenarios and that alternatives are needed to address prolonged drought conditions.
Wonderful alternative: Comments suggest alternatives that prioritize conservation of one dam and reservoir (Hoover Dam/Lake Mead or Glen Canyon Dam/Lake Powell).
Alternatives to infrastructure maintenance: Comments suggest alternatives that prioritize maintaining hydropower production and operations and consider contractual obligations to supply electricity.

USBR has shared all email comments so far. Links to emails from the USBR are listed below in alphabetical order (.pdf files open in new tabs).

This week, Lake Powell hit a record low of 3,522.12 feet on Wednesday. This is below the previous low of 3,522.24 feet in April 2022. The latest forecast shows Lake Powell will drop to 3,520.42 feet (about 20% full) next month. Exceeding that projection indicates the lake is filling as the government protects the water level to ensure normal hydroelectric power generation by the Glen Canyon Dam.

The surface of Lake Mead is now 1,047.51 meters above sea level. This is over 181 feet lower than the lake’s full pool. According to USBR projections, Lake Mead could drop 16 to 20 feet this summer and remain at its lowest level since it was first filled. A year after that, Lake Mead predicted that he would be 1,015.99 feet and drop another 15 feet or more.