Moving Forward Effort: Phase 1 Report

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) | May 1st, 2015

In 2012, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), in partnership with the seven Colorado River Basin States (Basin States) and in collaboration with a wide spectrum of

In 2012, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), in partnership with the seven Colorado River Basin States (Basin States) and in collaboration with a wide spectrum of Colorado River Basin (Basin) stakeholders, published the most comprehensive study of future Basin supply and demand ever undertaken. The Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand Study (Basin Study) confirmed that, in the absence of timely action, there are likely to be significant shortfalls between projected water supplies and demands in coming decades. The Basin Study also confirmed that a wide range of solutions are needed to mitigate and adapt to such shortfalls, which are likely to affect each sector (agricultural, municipal, energy, and environmental, for example) dependent on the Colorado River and its tributaries. In response to the findings of the Basin Study, in May 2013, Reclamation and the Basin States, in collaboration with the Ten Tribes Partnership and conservation organizations, initiated the Moving Forward effort to build on future considerations and next steps identified in the Basin Study. The Moving Forward effort builds upon and enhances the broad, inclusive stakeholder process demonstrated in the Basin Study with an ultimate goal of identifying actionable steps to address projected water supply and demand imbalances that have broad-based support and provide a wide-range of benefits. The Moving Forward effort is being conducted in a phased approach. Phase 1, which was funded by Reclamation and the Basin States, began with the formation of a Coordination Team and three multi-stakeholder workgroups that focus on water conservation, reuse, and environmental and recreational flows. The Phase 1 Report documents the activities and outcomes of the workgroups during this phase. Commenting on the information provided in the Phase 1 Report is encouraged. Written comments should be submitted within 90 days following the release of this report. The comments will be summarized and posted to the Moving Forward website and will be considered in future Moving Forward phases. Instructions for submitting comments are provided at [this link].

Navigating Transformations in 2023: The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Year in Review

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) | April 13th, 2024

Near-term Colorado River Operations Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) | April 11th, 2023

Reclamation is proposing revising the 2007 Interim Guidelines for the near-term operation of Glen Canyon and Hoover Dams beginning in the 2024 operating year (beginning O

Reclamation is proposing revising the 2007 Interim Guidelines for the near-term operation of Glen Canyon and Hoover Dams beginning in the 2024 operating year (beginning October 1, 2023) to address the potential for continued low-runoff conditions in the Basin.

Near-term Colorado River Operations Revised Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) | October 26th, 2023

Reclamation is proposing to revise the 2007 Interim Guidelines for the operation of Glen Canyon and Hoover Dams beginning in the 2024 operating year to address the potent

Reclamation is proposing to revise the 2007 Interim Guidelines for the operation of Glen Canyon and Hoover Dams beginning in the 2024 operating year to address the potential for continued low-runoff conditions in the Colorado River Basin. The potential impacts of low runoff conditions in the remainder of the interim period (prior to January 1, 2027) pose unacceptable risks to routine operations of Glen Canyon and Hoover Dams; therefore, modified operating guidelines should be expeditiously developed. Due to size, this file has been divided. Part one, Part two.

New water accounting reveals why the Colorado River no longer reaches the sea

Nature Portfolio (Springer Nature) | March 28th, 2024

Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement

Navajo Nation Water Rights Commission | May 24th, 2024

Due to size, this file has been divided. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

Due to size, this file has been divided. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

On the Sources of Water Supply Forecast Error in Western Colorado

American Meteorological Society (AMS) | December 1st, 2023

Orographic amplification of El Niño teleconnections on winter precipitation across the Intermountain West of North America

Nature Portfolio (Springer Nature) | December 4th, 2023

Overview of Management and Restoration Activities in the Salton Sea

Congressional Research Service (CRS) | November 24th, 2013

Efforts to restore the Salton Sea ecosystem have been discussed and initiated through state and federal actions. Several studies by state and federal agencies have provid

Efforts to restore the Salton Sea ecosystem have been discussed and initiated through state and federal actions. Several studies by state and federal agencies have provided baseline data about the Sea, and some restoration plans have been proposed. The State of California, the Salton Sea Authority, and the federal government through the Bureau of Reclamation have devised plans for restoring the Sea. However, none of these plans are being fully implemented. Federal authorities that address restoration of the Salton Sea are generally based on creating and evaluating proposals for restoration, rather than implementing restoration activities in a comprehensive manner similar to other initiatives in the Everglades and Great Lakes. California is pursuing restoration options, but funding for implementing them is lacking. Whether or not to restore the Salton Sea remains controversial. Proponents of restoration contend that the Salton Sea ecosystem is valuable from an ecological standpoint because it is one of the few remaining large-scale wetland habitats in California for migratory birds and fish. Further, some argue that keeping the Salton Sea intact will stimulate economic development, recreation, and tourism in the region. They note that losing the Sea could cause economic and environmental decline, and could lead to air quality problems from exposed seabeds. Others contend that the Sea should not be restored. They argue that the Salton Sea is naturally declining, as it has throughout its geological history. Further, they note that countering this process will be costly and ultimately not worth the expense. They state that limited restoration funds should be used to restore other natural wetlands in California, such as the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta. The decline of the Salton Sea ecosystem is accelerating due to water transfers from agricultural lands to municipal water districts in San Diego under the terms of the Quantification Settlement Agreement, an agreement on how to share California’s apportionment of Colorado River water. The water transfers have resulted in less water flowing into the Salton Sea and accelerated increases in salinity and shoreline recession. According to some scientists, salinity levels may reach lethal levels for most fish and wildlife as soon as 2018. These predictions, along with the steadily declining ecosystem might provoke Congress to consider a larger role in restoration for the federal government. Congress may decide to address restoration by increasing the federal role in restoration efforts.  This could be done by funding existing federal authorities that address, or could address, restoring the ecosystem; authorizing federal participation and appropriations for implementing existing restoration plans; or authorizing a new comprehensive plan to be created that might involve participation from federal and non-federal stakeholders, similar to other restoration initiatives around the country. Congress might also decide not to address restoration of the Salton Sea ecosystem, or simply maintain the status quo of federal participation.

Past and Projected Future Droughts in the Upper Colorado River Basin

American Geophysical Union (AGU) | February 29th, 2024