NIDIS Weekly Climate, Water and Drought Assessment Summary of the Upper Colorado River Basin

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Here are the notes from the Colorado Climate Center.

One interesting note. The Bureau of Reclamation is planning a “balancing flow” release of over 9 million acre-feet from Lake Powell this season. The representative told webinar participants that if the Upper Colorado River Basin streamflow forecast holds with early indications that Reclamation may increase the release to over 12 million acre-feet.

Many are trying to help out the water levels in Lake Mead. Arizona is considering passing on some of their Colorado River allocation this year in an attempt to keep the Lake Mead water level above the level (1,075 feet above sea level) that would trigger the 2007 drought management plan for Lake Mead and Lake Powell. Mexico plans to store 300,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water in Lake Mead due to their not being able to utilize the water in their earthquake damaged irrigation system.

More Colorado River basin coverage here.

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