The Colorado River is a Reliable Source for Utah
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Falling storage levels at both lakes Powell and Mead have highlighted the potential effects of climate change on the Colorado River, causing some to question its future viability as a reliable water supply source for the state of Utah.
“All water providers, including the
State of Utah
, understand the level of concern some have regarding the perceived uncertainty associated with the use of Colorado River water,” said Eric Millis, director of the
Utah Division of Water Resources
.
“The Colorado River is reliable. We work closely with our federal partners and other basin states to plan for future needs and mitigate potential impac
ts. The
drought contingency plans
recently outlined by the Upper and Lower Basin states serve as an example of such planning.”
When looking at whether the river can meet future needs, scientists, water providers, and those who manage the river look at its past performance during varying weather conditions. Colorado River flows are cyclical, as are weather patterns.
“In both wet and dry cycles over the past century, the river has always provided enough water to meet established uses and compact requirements,” said Don Ostler, former Executive Director and Secretary of the
Upper Colorado River Commission
.
“Recent hydrologic modeling, based on projected drought scenarios, has shown the river to be capable of remaining a reliable supply for the Upper Basin into the future, especially if the basin states continue to work cooperatively on sensible drought contingency plans.”
Utah receives 23 percent of the Colorado River water supply available to the Upper Basin. Utah is using approximately 72 percent of the current annual reliable supply of 1.4 million acre feet, including evaporation and system loss. The reliability of the Colorado River gives Utah the opportunity to develop its water for the benefit of Utah.
Even though Utah may be developing its water rights later than some of the other basin states, it does not mean there will not be enough water for projects like the Lake Powell Pipeline (LPP). There is water available for the LPP, which is currently being permitted to meet the needs of the fastest growing region of the state. The LPP would transport 86,249 acre feet of Colorado River water from Lake Powell through a buried pipeline to
Washington
and
Kane
counties.
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Investment in Water Infrastructure
in the West is Critical
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An editorial on the importance of new water infrastructure, including the LPP, recently ran in a number of local and national publications. The piece was written by Ron Thompson, 2018 president of the National Water Resources Association (NWRA) and General Manager of the Washington County Water Conservancy District.
Below is an excerpt from the editorial:
"I know firsthand the need to invest in water has never been greater, nor have the challenges of advancing water projects been steeper... The Lake Powell Pipeline will bring a critical second source of water to southern Utah to meet the needs of our growing communities, reduce our risks from drought and climate change, and keep the economy strong."
Read more on:
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Reports Answer Questions and
Provide Insight on the LPP Project
The Utah Board of Water Resources and the Washington County Water Conservancy District (WCWCD) recently submitted updated information and comment responses to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as part of the ongoing environmental review process. The documents are available through FERC and are posted on the project's website
http://www.lpputah.org/
.
Following are highlights of key documents:
LPP Economic Analysis
responds to financial comments about the LPP, corrects inaccuracies of university professors' financing claims and outlines the general capital project funding strategy and economic benefits of the project. Prepared by Applied Analysis.
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Copyright © 2019 LPP, All rights reserved.
CONTACT US:
Lake Powell Pipeline
801-583-7230
533 E. Waterworks Dr.
St. George, UT 84770
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