Water Woes XLVIII Record of Decision & Fallout
- Mark L. Johnson
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
Record of Decision for the Decision Framework for Colorado River Guidelines: Coordinated Operations of Lake Powell and Lake Mead (2027–2036)
The United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) issued the above captioned Record of Decision on 8/21/26 (click on link below). It mirrors what was described in Water Woes XLVII-USBR Kicks The Can. The Record of Decision incorporates; "the operational principles, sideboards (ranges for operational elements) and a process to govern development and issuance of Operating Guidelines for the coordinated operations of Lake Powell and Lake Mead." The Operating Guidelines will be issued for 2-year intervals and the Guidelines for 2027/28 are discussed below.
Operating Guidelines (2027/28)
USBR also issued the Operating Guidelines (2027/28) on 8/21/26 (click on link below). The Guidelines include a combination of measures for operating Lake Powell and Lake Mead.
Lake Powell
These operating guideline are established to protect Lake Powell elevation at 3,510' in order to provide additional cushion above the established buffer of 3,500' developed previously to protect Lake Powell from reaching elevation 3,490' at which there are severe water supply and release limitations. See Water Woes XXXIX-Double Trouble.
The Lake Powell Guidelines use the Most Probable August 24-Month Study Projection (Most Probable Projection) for Lake Powell Elevation (next year-October 1) to establish the range of operations:
Upper Elevation Range (at or above 3,565')-start release evaluation at 8.23 million acre-feet (maf) and consider releases of 8.0 maf and 7.5 maf. Continue to monitor elevation throughout the water year and potentially adjust release down to a minimum of 6.0 maf.
Mid-Elevation Range (3,500' to 3,565')-start release evaluation at 8.0 maf and consider releases of 7.5 maf and 7.0 maf. Continue to monitor elevation throughout the water year and potentially adjust release down to a minimum of 6.0 maf.
Low Elevation Range (below 3,540')-start release evaluation (Exhibit Run) at 7.0 maf. Continue to monitor elevation throughout the water year and potentially adjust release down to a minimum of 6.0 maf.
Lake Mead
These operating guidelines are established to protect Lake Mead from reaching elevation 1,010' to provide additional cushion above 950' at which there are severe supply and release limitations. The following Shortage Conditions are utilized:
Lower Basin States (AZ, CA & NV) consumptive use apportionment is reduced from 7.5 maf to 6.25 maf for a reduction of 1.25 maf:
AZ-2.4 maf (reduced from 2.8 maf for a 760,000 af reduction)
CA-3.96 maf (reduced from 4.4 maf for a 440,000 af reduction)
NV-250,000 af (reduced from 300,000 af for a 50,000 af reduction)
If the Most Probable Projection shows Lake Mead falling below 1,010'-additional apportionment cuts will be considered
If the Most Probable Projection shows Lake Mead above 1,125'-apportionment increases may be considered
System Water Conservation-Lower Basin States must also conserve water to provide an additional 700,000 af in 2026, 2027 and 2028.
Other Items
Intentionally Created Surplus (ICS)
Federally Managed Water Resources Pool (FMWRP)
Deliveries to Mexico-per 1944 Treaty.
Upper Basin States appear to be unaffected
Nevada Sues
Nevada (State, Colorado River Commission-Nevada and Southern Nevada Water Authority) filed a Complaint (click on link below) against the Department of Interior (DOI)/USBR on 8/24/26. The Complaint includes a history of the Law of the River and description of recent efforts to negotiate a long-term water supply agreement for the Colorado River System. It includes the following Causes of Action:
First-Violation of APA, NEPA and Law of the River
Second-Failure To Consider A Reasonable Range of Alternatives
Third-Failure To Adequately Consider Environmental Effects
Fourth-Failure To Respond To Comments
Fifth-Failure To Adequately Analyze Mitigation Measures
Sixth-Failure To Designate States and Local Governments As Cooperating Agencies
That's a lot of accusations and we will see how this Complaint impacts the Record of Decision and Guidelines going forward.
Arizona Acquiesces For Now But Not Beyond 2028
The following article was recently published in Know Your Water News and it nicely sums up Arizona's postion on the Record of Decision.
