Unprecedented Cut in Colorado River Flow Ordered, Due to Drought

[phantom power]

For the first time in history, the U.S. government has ordered that flow of Colorado River water from the 50-year-old Glen Canyon Dam be slashed, due to a water crisis brought about by the region's historic 14-year drought. On Friday, the Federal Bureau of Reclamation--a division of the Department of Interior that manages water and electric power in the West--announced that it would cut water released from Lake Powell's Glen Canyon Dam by 750,000 acre-feet in 2014. An acre-foot is the amount of water that will cover an acre of land one foot deep; 750,000 acre-feet is enough water to supply at least 750,000 homes. The flow reduction will leave the Colorado River 9% below the 8.23 million acre feet that is supposed to be supplied downstream to Lake Mead for use in California, Nevada, Arizona and Mexico under the Colorado River Compact of 1922 and later agreements. "This is the worst 14-year drought period in the last hundred years," said Upper Colorado Regional Director Larry Walkoviak in a Bureau of Reclamation press release.

In the winter of 2005, Lake Powell reached its lowest level since filling, an elevation 150' below full pool. Lake levels recovered some in during 2005 - 2011, but the resurgence of severe to extreme drought conditions have provoked a steep decline in 2012 and 2013, with the lake falling 35' over the past year. As of August 18, 2013, Lake Powell was 109' below full pool (45% of capacity), and was falling at a rate of one foot every six days.

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=2495

[pscot]

1. The economics of Water

So far in 2013: 4 million acre feet in, 7 million acre feet out. Bad arithmetic.
http://lakepowell.water-data.com/

[truebrit71]

2. Wow...that's a pretty stark contrast..

[efhmc]

3. How has flooding affected this?

Did most of the water run off or did any soak into the water table or refill damned areas and lakes? What a horrible way to get the water replenished but hopefully some stayed.

[ConcernedCanuk]

4. Here's another disturbing image from the OP link

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I'm sorta glad I have retired where I did, Northern Ontario.

Lots of water, low population density and plenty of firewood.

Do not envy those in high population areas,

not one bit.

CC