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Writer's pictureTortolita Alliance

Water Woes XXXII Cautious Optimism


Tortolita Alliance (TA) attended the Local Drought Impact Group (LDIG) meeting today (9/11/24) via Zoom.


LDIG is a bi-monthly gathering of local and state water agencies to discuss latest drought conditions across the state of AZ. Attendees include: TA, Marana Water, Tucson Water, Metro Water, National Weather Service-Tucson, Central Arizona Project (CAP), Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR), Pima County Office of Sustainability & Conservation (OSC) and more.


The following information was gleaned from the meeting.


 

2024 Monsoon Season & Drought


  • Hottest summer (June-August) on record (tied with 2020)

  • Water Year (Oct-Sep) rainfall is above normal

  • Monsoon Season (Jun 15-Sep 30) rainfall is normal

  • Drought conditions still exist in Arizona but not serious

  • Fall (Sep-Nov) Outlook-above normal temperatures & below normal rainfall

  • 66% chance for La Niña conditions this fall and winter

  • Possible rain this weekend


Please view the slides presented by the National Weather Service-Tucson in the slider below:





 


Colorado River


  • Lake Powell-40% full (about same level as last year at this time)

  • Lake Mead-33% full (about same level as last year at this time)

  • Current Tier 1 Shortage Condition [Arizona's cut = 512,000 acre-feet per year]

  • Lower Basin States Conserving another 3 million AFY 2024-2026

  • Probability of hitting critical low elevations at Lake Powell and Lake Mead is now low thanks to better runoff in last 2 years and conservation efforts

  • USBR developing proposed Colorado River Operating Guidelines-Post 2026 with draft coming in December

  • Tier 1 Shortage Condition expected for 2025 despite all the conservation


Please view the slides presented by the Central Arizona Project in the slider below:





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