Difference between revisions of "2027-2028 Operating Guidelines"
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*If any Basin State believes there is inequity between volumes available in the CRSP Upper Units and reductions in Powell releases | *If any Basin State believes there is inequity between volumes available in the CRSP Upper Units and reductions in Powell releases | ||
*If Powell releases <6.0 maf are needed to maintain 3500' in March of the following year | *If Powell releases <6.0 maf are needed to maintain 3500' in March of the following year | ||
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| + | ==Lake Mead operations:== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Elevation between 1125' and 1220' (full pool)=== | ||
| + | If the most probable rises above 1125' in the next 12 months | ||
| + | *Consult to increase apportionment above 6.25 maf | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Shortage Condition Determination and Lower Basin Reductions: Elevation between 1010' and 1125'=== | ||
| + | Lower Basin Reductions | ||
| + | *Apportion 6.25 maf (1.25 maf reduction) | ||
| + | *Conserve an additional 700 kaf voluntarily | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Elevation between 895' (dead pool), 950' (minimum power pool), and 1010'=== | ||
| + | If the most probable falls below 1010' in the next 12 months | ||
| + | *Consult to consider potential actions | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Intentionally Created Surplus (ICS)=== | ||
| + | Extended through 2028 | ||
| + | |||
| + | In the year ICS is created | ||
| + | *0% deduction of the volume | ||
| + | *3% annual evaporation assessment until delivered | ||
| + | |||
| + | No ICS delivery if Mead is less than 1000' | ||
| + | *Consultation if Mead is between 1000' than 1025' | ||
| + | |||
| + | ICS delivery is limited to 800 kaf (2026-2028) | ||
| + | |||
| + | Limits on annual creation, delivery, and accumulation (see table) | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Federally Managed Water Resources Pool (FMWRP)=== | ||
| + | *Indian Water Rights Settlement | ||
| + | *450 kaf within ICS | ||
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Revision as of 12:28, 4 September 2026
 The post placed in the 1920s by the USGS at "Lee Ferry" marking the division of the upper and lower basins |
2027-2028 Operating GuidelinesSeveral reservoir and water management decisional documents and agreements that govern the operation of Colorado River facilities and management of the Colorado River are scheduled to expire at the end of 2026. These include the 2007 Colorado River Interim Guidelines for Lower Basin Shortages and Coordinated Operations for Lake Powell and Lake Mead (2007 Interim Guidelines), the 2019 Drought Contingency Plans, as well as international agreements between the United States and Mexico pursuant to the United States-Mexico Treaty on Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande (1944 Water Treaty). The Post-2026 process was a multi-year NEPA process that set out to develop long-term successor operating guidelines for Lake Powell and Lake Mead to replace expiring agreements. The process was formally initiated in June 2023 with the Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Throughout the process, extensive stakeholder engagement occurred, with a particular focus on developing a range of alternatives over a two‑and‑a‑half‑year period. Six alternatives were developed and evaluated to capture a broad range of operational concepts and potential environmental impacts, though consensus on long‑term operations was not reached. After the publication of the Final EIS on July 31, 2026, the process is concluding with issuance of the Record of Decision on August 21, 2026, which adopts the Preferred Alternative’s "Decision Framework." Pursuant to the Record of Decision, the first set of guidelines—the 2027–2028 Operating Guidelines—were also issued.[1] |
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