IN THIS ISSUE:

• LATEST COLORADO RIVER DEVELOPMENTS
• IID CONSIDERING REVISED EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM
• IVH2O ANNUAL MEETING
• IMPERIAL VALLEY WATER FORUM REMINDER

I've hinted over the last few months the Colorado River hydrology is looking worse than originally projected and elevation preservation band-aids are not sufficient.  All came to a head yesterday when Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources stating federal officials now believe protecting "critical levels" at the country's largest reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, will require much larger reductions in water deliveries.  We've shared more information on the details of the announcement below. 

I want to assure you Imperial Valley Water (IVH2O) is engaged in conversations with the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) and others on the river to insure Imperial Valley interests are represented in these discussions. 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

BUREAU OF RECLAMATION CALLS FOR EMERGENCY ELEVATION STABILIZATION MEASURES

In calendar year 2022, the Colorado River is in a Tier 1 shortage under the 2007 Guidelines resulting in Nevada and Arizona making required Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) and 500+ plan contribution. Even with the implementation of these measures, storage in the Colorado River reservoir system continues to decline. Reports indicate system reservoir storage has declined nearly 5 million acre feet in the last twelve months and more than 10 million acre feet over the past three years. The current hydrology projections indicate Lake Mead could hit elevation 1025' at some point in 2023 without additional conservation efforts and reduced consumption.

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing June 14, 2022 to "Examine Short and Long Term Solutions to Extreme Drought in the Western U.S."  Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton testified before the committee reporting dire Colorado River hydrology and stating the Colorado River region will need to cut usage between 2-4 million acre feet in 2023 and in each subsequent year to protect critical reservoir elevations. She shared the Bureau is talking with the seven basin states to develop a plan to achieve these reduction in the next sixty days.

IVH2O and other agricultural stakeholder organizations are meeting with Imperial Irrigation District to discuss and provide input regarding local conservation/consumption saving options.

Link to view Senate Committee video of hearing is provided below.

Additional details and developments will be reported in future newsletters.

Colorado River Hydrology Snapshot:

• Total system storage is currently 35% (42% for same time last year)
• Lake Powell is 27% capacity and currently at elevation 3536.207'
• Lake Mead is 28% capacity and currently at elevation 1045.57'

IID Expected to Consider Revised Equitable Distribution Program during June 21, 2022 Board Meeting

Following a series of IID workshops on the proposed, revised Equitable Distribution Program (EDP), the IID Board reviewed the revised plan under information during the June 7, 2022 board meeting. The item is likely to be slated for action during the Board's June 21, 2022 Board Meeting. A link to the red-lined document outlining the revised plan is provided below.  Visit IID's website, iid.com, for more information.

REMINDER!

Imperial Valley Agriculture Stakeholder Water Forum scheduled for Thursday, June 16

NEWS ITEMS OF INTEREST:

COLORADO RIVER

• Major water cutbacks loom as shrinking Colorado River nears 'moment of reckoning,' Ian James, Los Angeles Times, June 14, 2022
• Feds float drastic measures to stanch California's water crisis, Janet Wilson, Desert Sun, June 14, 2022
• Reclamation weighs emergency measures to save key reservoirs, Philip Brasher, AgriPulse, June 15, 2022
• Colorado River Reservoirs Are So Low, Government Will Delay Releases, The New York Times, May 3, 2022