Imperial Valley Water
(IVH20)
NEWSLETTER
MARCH/APRIL, 2022
IVH2O is a 501C5 non-profit established to represent and protect Imperial Valley's Water Rights. The organization's goal is to maintain a viable agricultural industry through the proactive representation of the Imperial Valley's water rights.
IN THIS ISSUE:

  • Colorado River Drought Update/500+ Plan
  • March 31 Farm Connect Field Day
  • IID Annual Reports
MESSAGE FROM IVH2O CHAIRMAN BRIAN STRAHM
Worsening drought conditions throughout the West continue to place water policy on the forefront of local, state, federal, and international policy makers minds. The Colorado River Basin experienced its 22nd straight year of drought in 2021 (2nd driest year in modern history) and 2022 is likely to be year 23. Mid-year hydrology reports are alarming. They show Lake Powell at historically low elevations with the possibility of dropping below power pool by the end of this year. Lake Mead is projected to drop to elevation 1030' or 1020' within a matter of years sounding the alarm for additional conservation efforts.

During her presentation before the Colorado River Water Users Association (CRWUA) in December, 2021, new U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton said the Colorado River Basin is at a "tipping point." To protect Lake Mead's elevation beyond those outlined in the Drought Contingency Plan (DCP), water agencies within the Lower Basin announced the so-called 500+ Plan late last year. However, it is clear this plan is not enough. Policy experts acknowledge the various band aids are not providing enough safeguards to keep reservoir elevations above critical levels. The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) has essentially been on the sidelines of the discussions. IVH2O continues to encourage IID to engage in negotiations which leverage existing local conservation efforts - efforts which are currently not recognized by the river community. We should be fully engaged in all discussions.

All of this raises many questions. What is the future of Colorado River hydrology and what policy changes will occur to bring demand back in line with supply? What additional measures will be implemented to support reservoir elevations in a continued drought. How will the Imperial Valley be involved in these discussions? How will recent overlay agreements and current discussions impact the next round of river management negotiations which begin in advance of the current Colorado River Operating guidelines sunsetting in 2026?

We all recognize the Colorado River basin is a crucial water source for 40 million people and over 5.5 million acres of farm land in seven states. Two decades of drought, along with the demands from an increasing population, have significantly impacted the Colorado River. IID delivers water to approximately 500,000 acres, nearly 10 percent of all farm land irrigated from the Colorado River. We should be fully engaged in all discussions. IVH2O's Board of Directors are attending water conferences throughout the West connecting with decision makers and contributing to the Colorado River water policy discussion. We are committed to representing the interests of Imperial Valley landowners and thank you for your support of IVH2O and the organization's mission to preserve Imperial Valley Water Rights.

Brian Strahm
IVH2O Chairman
2022 Colorado River Conditions

In calendar year 2022, the Colorado River will be in a Tier 1 shortage under the 2007 Guidelines resulting in Nevada and Arizona making required Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) contribution. Nevada is required to reduce consumptive use by 13,000 acre‐feet under the 2007 Interim Guidelines and have a Drought Contingency Plan contribution of 8,000 acre‐feet. Arizona and Mexico are also required to take shortage and make a water savings contribution in 2022.  The total combined volumes for Arizona, Nevada, and Mexico are 613,000 acre‐feet in calendar year 2022, which are anticipated to save the equivalent of about 8 feet in elevation in Lake Mead.  

Lowering lake levels and rapidly declining runoff in 2021 brought about another round of elevation supporting discussions. The result was the so-called 500+ plan announced in December, 2021. At that time, water agencies in the three Lower Basin States of Arizona, California and Nevada announced a voluntary agreement to scale back their use of the Colorado River. Parties to the agreement, which includes the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, signed a Memorandum of Understanding during the annual Colorado River Water Users Association's annual conference. The goal of the 500+ Plan is to keep an additional 1 million acre feet of water in Lake Mead for the next two years. The 500+ Plan specifically intends to preserve an additional 500,000 acre feet of water in Lake Mead in 2022 and 2023 by facilitating actions to conserve water across the Lower Colorado River Basin. The 500+ Plan will require $200,000,000 funding from the lower basin states as well as the federal government. The additional conservation is on top of the water savings already required in the 2007 Guidelines and Drought Contingency Plan.

As stated earlier, the objective of the 500+ plan is to store additional water in Lake Mead over the next two years to prevent the reservoir from reaching critical elevations. The result is expected to amount to about 16 feet of savings in Lake Mead. However, another extremely dry year has water officials rethinking current saving targets and evaluating additional elevation building opportunities. The seven Basin States are meeting every two weeks to consider additional actions to protect critical water elevations at Lakes Powell and Mead.
500 + Plan
The 500+ Plan goes further than the previously agreed to 2019 Drought Contingency Plan (DCP). DCP was designed as an overlay to the 2007 Colorado River Interim Guidelines for Lower Basin Shortages and Coordinated Operations for Lake Powell and Lake Mead and includes Upper and Lower Basin policy initiatives intended to reduce the risk of Colorado River reservoirs declining to critically low levels. Continued, extreme drought conditions revealed in the Bureau's August 24-Month Study (monthly hydrology modeling report including estimates of shortage analysis to assist in operational decisions directed by the 2007 guidelines) and 2-year Probabalistic Projections (extended modeling utilizing alternative methodology) triggered first ever Tier 1 Colorado River shortage. The poor hydrology forecasts set in motion new voluntary measures in the 500+ Plan. The following are key points of the 500+ Plan:

  • The new agreement is a plan to implement additional conservation actions over and above those required by the 2007 Guidelines and DCP.
  • The plan calls for additional actions in the Lower Basin to protect Lake Mead from declining below elevation 1,020'.
  • The plan examines additional conservation and storage in Lake Mead along with funding commitments to generate conserved water.
  • The goal of the plan is to conserve an additional 500,000 acre-feet or more per year in Lake Mead (beyond DCP)
  • This is believed to be enough to support 16 feet to the reservoir's level
  • Sources of 500+ Plan new water could include:
  • New system water conservation
  • New Intentionally Created Surplus (ICS), pledged to remain in Lake Mead through 2026
  • Existing ICS, scheduled for withdrawal, to remain in Lake Mead
  • Voluntary and compensated reductions
  • Commitment to conservation targets in 2022 and 2023 with continued efforts through 2026, as necessary.
  • Some conservation efforts already begun while others are still being identified.
  • Examples include funding of crop fallowing, including short-term, programs
Colorado River Hydrology Snapshot:

  • Total system storage is currently 36%
  • Lake Powell is 25% capacity and currently at elevation 3527'
  • Lake Mead is 34% capacity and currently at elevation 1066'
  • Since this time last year, Lake Mead has decreased about 20 feet and Lake Powell has decreased about 44 feet
  • Unregulated inflow to Lake Powell forecast for 69% of normal - reduced from earlier forecasts due to a dry February
Imperial Valley Farm Connect Field Day
Thursday, March 31, 2022
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Leimgruber Ranch,
Bonesteele Road, Holtville

*** Lunch to be served***

LATEST STUDY ON EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION PRACTICES FOR AGRICULTURAL WATER USE

Dr. Aliasghar Montazar, Irrigation and Water Management Advisor with University of California Cooperative Extension, published a study on water conservation tools late last year. The study, titled Irrigation Tools and Strategies to Conserve Water and Ensure a Balance of Sustainability and Profitability, reviews efficient management and conservation practices for agricultural water use and how essential they are for adapting to and mitigating the impacts of the current and future discrepancy between water supplies and water demands. The study introduction states, "The importance of water conservation in agriculture is fundamental to ensuring a balance of sustainability and profitability. While profitability is a primary concern in any sustainable enterprise, farmers typically adopt new tools and practices that result in higher profits or reduced risks. Irrigation management practices that reduce water use with acceptable impacts on production would be viable strategies and cost-effective tools to cope with diminished water supplies and generate new sources of water to transfer for other agricultural uses and urban and environmental demands. The water conservation measures may reduce crop water use and/or improve efficiency, and consist of advanced irrigation scheduling, deficit irrigation, on-farm irrigation system conversion and improvement, tailwater recovery systems, precision irrigation, and crop rotation and alternative low water use cropping systems. This Special Issue focuses on “Agricultural Water Conservation: Tools, Strategies, and Practices”, which aims to bring together a collection of recent cutting-edge research and advancements in agricultural water conservation." 

Dr. Ali Montazar has a PhD in Irrigation and Drainage and currently is Irrigation and Water Management Advisor with University of California Cooperative Extension. He has more than 20 years of research, extension, teaching, and technical consulting experience and has served in several leadership positions in agricultural water management and irrigation engineering in California and abroad. He has a well-developed applied research and training program in southern California, and currently has several ongoing irrigation and water conservation studies in alfalfa, avocados, carrots, date palm, spinach, lettuce, sugar beets, and onions. His focus is sensor-based irrigation management, water conservation, drainage and salinity management, and best irrigation and nutrient management practices.   

The following link will direct you to the full study.
IID ANNUAL REPORT

2020 Imperial Irrigation District (IID) and IID Water Department Annual Reports are available on the IID website. Links to both reports are also provided below. The reports contain highlights of programs, projects, initiatives and fiscal information.

IVH2O MEMBERSHIP
The Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Membership Packet is attached in the link below. Please share with those you feel may be interested in joining.

Imperial Valley Water (IVH2O) is a 501C (5) non-profit organization which represents and protects Imperial Valley's Water Rights. The goal of the organization is to maintain a viable agriculture industry through the proactive representation of the Imperial Valley's water rights. To join, complete membership form in link below and mail to Imperial Valley Water (IVH2O), P.O. Box 1604, El Centro, CA 92244. Questions? Email Cherie Watte.
NEWS ITEMS OF INTEREST:

COLORADO RIVER

CALIFORNIA REGIONAL WATER/CLIMATE

IMPERIAL VALLEY
DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE INTERESTED IN RECEIVING
THIS E-NEWSLETTER?

SHARE CONTACT INFORMATION BY CLICKING BELOW.
The information provided is for general informational purposes only. All information is provided in good faith and is not intended as a formal, legal opinion.
IVH2O is a 501C5 non profit established to represent and protect Imperial Valley's Water Rights. The organization's goal is to maintain a viable agricultural industry through the proactive representation of the Imperial Valley's water rights.