The Bureau of Reclamation just issued its August 24-month study, which projects that a Tier 1 shortage for 2025 will continue for the Lower Colorado River Basin.
Despite a below-average runoff year, with less water flowing out of Lake Powell, the Lower Basin avoided deeper reductions due to extraordinary actions to reduce water use by parties in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Mexico.
“The Lower Basin water users have truly sacrificed this year and it has paid off,” says Brenda Burman, CAP general manager. “Lake Mead is stable even though we had less water from Lake Powell and average snowpack in the Basin. Through mandatory reductions and extraordinary conservation and investments, we are demonstrating our ongoing commitment to protect all who rely on the Colorado River.”