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Lake Mead

ADWR and CAP Host Shortage Briefing on Unstable Conditions at Lake Powell

Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzke

Published:May 13, 2022
  • Read more about ADWR and CAP Host Shortage Briefing on Unstable Conditions at Lake Powell

Lower Basin States and Reclamation Take Action to Help Protect Lake Mead, Sign Agreement

After five long years of discussion and negotiation, the Colorado River states and the federal government agreed in May 2019 to a Drought Contingency Plan to help protect the river system from the worsening effects of drought and over-use.

Published:December 22, 2021
  • Read more about Lower Basin States and Reclamation Take Action to Help Protect Lake Mead, Sign Agreement

Arizona participates in historic agreement to protect the CO River system & Lake Mead

Published:May 23, 2019
  • Read more about Arizona participates in historic agreement to protect the CO River system & Lake Mead

Celebration! Is it so wrong to revel in good water news for a change?

Is it so wrong to want to revel in good water news a bit?

After enduring more than 19 years of lingering drought in the Southwest and its implications for the Colorado River system, we think not. 

This month, Congress has passed, and the President has signed into law, the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan Authorization Act, which permits the Secretary of the Interior to sign a DCP agreement with the Seven Basin States. 

Published:April 19, 2019
  • Read more about Celebration! Is it so wrong to revel in good water news for a change?

Voice Vote on Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan

Submitted by [email protected] on April 12, 2019 - 8:27am
  • Read more about Voice Vote on Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan

Congress zips into action, quickly approving long-sought CO River DCP Authorization Act

Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan Authorization Act

In the end, it was the bipartisan sense of urgency among lawmakers – the fast-building recognition on both sides of the aisle that this legislation needed the support of Congress -- that proved most stunning to observers.

Published:April 12, 2019
  • Read more about Congress zips into action, quickly approving long-sought CO River DCP Authorization Act

Colorado River DCP Proposals Get A Positive, Enthusiastic Reception In Congress

Support in Congress for the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plans took a big step forward on Thursday when lawmakers on a key House subcommittee expressed bipartisan – and, in many cases, enthusiastic – support for the effort to help stabilize the drought-troubled river system.

Among those expressing strong support for the DCPs was Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee.

Published:March 29, 2019
  • Read more about Colorado River DCP Proposals Get A Positive, Enthusiastic Reception In Congress

2018 Year in Review: The biggest news stories of the year

As the New Year approaches, compiling a list of the top stories in the Arizona water industry is always a challenge because there’s always a lot to choose from. But 2018 truly was more eventful than other years in recent memory.

From the increased efforts of Drought Contingency Planning, to a wildfire season unlike any other, to the ongoing drought declarations within the Southwest, take a look back at some of the key moments in 2018, as they were reported by Arizona Water News.

 

Published:December 28, 2018
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Getting to the Finish Line: What’s next for Colorado River Drought Contingency Planning?

By Arizona Department of Water Resources and Central Arizona Project

Arizona has worked over the course of several years with the other States in the Colorado River Basin and the United States to develop an interstate Drought Contingency Plan to protect Colorado River supplies. Within Arizona, stakeholders have been working to develop an Implementation Plan, a series of agreements that will govern the way that certain terms of the DCP will be implemented within Arizona once the DCP is effective.

Published:December 20, 2018
  • Read more about Getting to the Finish Line: What’s next for Colorado River Drought Contingency Planning?

How Will AZDCP Fit Into the Colorado River Basin Drought Contingency Plan?

While Arizona water managers and affected stakeholders have been meeting almost daily over the past several months to finalize the state’s Drought Contingency Plan (DCP), plans have been underway on a parallel track for several years to ensure the framework is in place for the entire Colorado River Basin DCP.

Published:October 17, 2018
  • Read more about How Will AZDCP Fit Into the Colorado River Basin Drought Contingency Plan?

Facts about the Lower Basin Drought Contingency Plan

Submitted by [email protected] on September 5, 2018 - 1:42pm
  • Read more about Facts about the Lower Basin Drought Contingency Plan

The DCP makes CO River delivery shortfalls less painful, but it doesn’t make them go away

By Tom Buschatzke, Arizona Department of Water Resources Director, and Ted Cooke, Central Arizona Project General Manager

 

Published:September 5, 2018
  • Read more about The DCP makes CO River delivery shortfalls less painful, but it doesn’t make them go away

Planning for second Drought Contingency Plan briefing underway

The next step in the reinvigorated effort to bring a Drought Contingency Plan in Arizona to closure is scheduled for Tuesday, July 10, at the Heard Museum in central Phoenix.

Co-hosted once again by the Arizona Department of Water Resources and the Central Arizona Water Conservation District, the public meeting is set for 1-4 pm at the museum auditorium, located at 2301 N. Central Ave.

Published:July 6, 2018
  • Read more about Planning for second Drought Contingency Plan briefing underway

Water Resources & Central Arizona Project partner for briefing on Drought Contingency Plan

By clear consensus, the most important issue currently facing the Colorado River system is the as-yet unresolved question of what the states will do to lessen the risks of draconian shortages on the Colorado River.

Published:June 21, 2018
  • Read more about Water Resources & Central Arizona Project partner for briefing on Drought Contingency Plan

Reclamation Commissioner calls for action on Lake Mead “contingency” plans

Brenda Burman Commissioner for the Bureau of Reclamation

Published:June 13, 2018
  • Read more about Reclamation Commissioner calls for action on Lake Mead “contingency” plans

Departing Department vet illustrates ADWR’s role in Arizona water management

The challenge facing the Arizona Department of Water Resources right now, said Department policy adviser and legislative liaison Doug Dunham, is to balance 17 years of on-going drought in the Southwest with healthy economic growth in Arizona.

Published:May 24, 2018
  • Read more about Departing Department vet illustrates ADWR’s role in Arizona water management

Arizona Horizon: Update On Arizona's Water Supplies

Submitted by [email protected] on May 17, 2018 - 12:26pm
  • Read more about Arizona Horizon: Update On Arizona's Water Supplies

ADWR Director Buschatzke’s presentation on “The Future of Water in Arizona”

Submitted by [email protected] on April 6, 2018 - 12:55pm
  • Read more about ADWR Director Buschatzke’s presentation on “The Future of Water in Arizona”

New “Water Book” outlines Arizona’s path forward on water

The Governor’s Office has released “Securing Arizona’s Water Future,” an illustrated outline of Governor Ducey’s plan for taking action to help secure the State’s water supplies.

The “water book,” as it is known, is available on the Governor’s website.

Published:February 23, 2018
  • Read more about New “Water Book” outlines Arizona’s path forward on water

Smithsonian Water/Ways exhibit on its way to Arizona communities

ASU’s Decision Center for a Desert City to host discussion of traveling exhibition

DCDC’s WaterSim Arizona exhibit to share stage with Water/Ways

A traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street program entitled Water/Ways will tour Arizona communities over a nearly two-year period starting in June.

Published:February 15, 2018
  • Read more about Smithsonian Water/Ways exhibit on its way to Arizona communities

Retiring Sen. Jeff Flake took on challenge of defending Arizona’s water supplies

One of the last pieces of legislation sponsored by Sen. Jeff Flake prior to his announcement that he will not seek re-election in 2018 was, predictably, about water.

Indeed, S. 1770 was not just about water, but about one of the knottiest, most difficult water-related issues that Congress faces – the resolution of tribal water-rights claims, in this case a claim by the Hualapai Tribe of Arizona.

Published:November 1, 2017
  • Read more about Retiring Sen. Jeff Flake took on challenge of defending Arizona’s water supplies

Feds predicting short-term improvement on the Colo River system… and longer-term challenge

Part Two of the federal government’s annual August analysis of conditions on the Colorado River system are out, and – just like Part One –  the results depict a mixed bag of decreasing risk in the short-term and rapidly increasing risk in the longer-term. 

Published:August 25, 2017
  • Read more about Feds predicting short-term improvement on the Colo River system… and longer-term challenge

It’s official: Federal analysts expect no shortage at Lake Mead in 2018

The federal Bureau of Reclamation has completed its crucial August 2017 24-Month Study, which is part of a study of hydrology and projected operations of the Colorado River system. Results depict water flows slightly improved from recent years, enough to assure that Lake Mead will avoid a “shortage declaration” for 2018, at least.

Published:August 17, 2017
  • Read more about It’s official: Federal analysts expect no shortage at Lake Mead in 2018

Historic water-conservation agreement a “down payment” on AZ’s effort to protect Lake Mead

The five participants in a historic effort to help stabilize Lake Mead water levels made their agreement formal at a signing ceremony on July 14 hosted by the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

The formal consummation of the five-party agreement opened the door for the Gila River Indian Community to conserve a portion of its Colorado River entitlement for the benefit of Lake Mead. 

Published:July 19, 2017
  • Read more about Historic water-conservation agreement a “down payment” on AZ’s effort to protect Lake Mead

Feds now see Lake Mead levels sinking 20 feet lower by ‘19 than predicted just last month

The sensational news about record-setting snowpack in the Sierra Nevada of California and “atmospheric rivers” delivering over 1,000 percent of normal winter rainfall to Big Sur has disguised a much less-than-sensational record of winter moisture elsewhere in the West.

The winter snowpack on the western slopes of the Rockies – the source moisture for the Colorado River – is producing much less runoff than had been anticipated.

Published:June 14, 2017
  • Read more about Feds now see Lake Mead levels sinking 20 feet lower by ‘19 than predicted just last month

Phoenix Council unanimously approves multi-party agreement to conserve water in Lake Mead

The Phoenix City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved an agreement with tribal, state, federal and philanthropic leaders to help protect the Colorado River and preserve water levels in Lake Mead. 

Published:June 14, 2017
  • Read more about Phoenix Council unanimously approves multi-party agreement to conserve water in Lake Mead

Director Buschatzke responds to new CAWCD “Lake Mead” plan

If recent climatic experience has taught Arizonans anything, it is that the specter of drought is an ever-present proposition.

Droughts of 30- or even 50-year durations are not unknown phenomena.

So, even when Mother Nature blesses us with a wet year, like this year, water in the Southwest remains a scarce resource that must be managed cooperatively with a long-term view if we are to assure it remains available and abundant for the millions of people relying on it.

Published:May 1, 2017
  • Read more about Director Buschatzke responds to new CAWCD “Lake Mead” plan

Arizona Water Resources Director says “no” to taking risks with the Colorado River

On the Opinion pages of Monday’s Arizona Republic, the director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, Tom Buschatzke, explains in detail why Arizona is not about to take risks with the state’s vital allocation of Colorado River water.

Buschatzke’s views on the issue also appeared Friday in the Arizona Capitol Times.

Published:May 1, 2017
  • Read more about Arizona Water Resources Director says “no” to taking risks with the Colorado River

Planned water releases from Lake Powell may not look great, but they look good

It’s amazing how a few dry weeks can mess up things.

A very dry and warm early March has scuttled the federal Bureau of Reclamation’s much-anticipated plan to release over 11 million acre-feet of Colorado River water from Lake Powell downstream into Lake Mead – a so-called “equalization” release.

Published:April 19, 2017
  • Read more about Planned water releases from Lake Powell may not look great, but they look good

4 Take Aways from Saturday’s revelation of “contingency plans” for Colorado River water

Arizona Department of Water Resources director Tom Buschatzke detailed in an oped in Saturday's Arizona Republic the on-going, highly sensitive efforts to strike a three-state deal to leave a portion of the states’ Colorado River allocations in Lake Mead in order to keep the lake above critical levels.

Published:April 22, 2016
  • Read more about 4 Take Aways from Saturday’s revelation of “contingency plans” for Colorado River water

All in on protecting Lake Mead

“We are the people of the river.”

With a sweep of his hand toward vast, new wetlands blossoming at the southernmost corner of the Gila River Indian Community, Tribal Governor Stephen Lewis explained the dual purpose behind the tribe’s investment in the fast-rushing waters flowing near the site known as the Olberg Bridge.

Published:March 17, 2017
  • Read more about All in on protecting Lake Mead

2017

Submitted by [email protected] on March 6, 2017 - 2:14pm
  • Read more about 2017

"Fill Mead First" plan to drain Lake Powell has sprung some big leaks

Whether we are talking about draining all of its water or just most of it, reducing  Lake Powell to a secondary status behind Lake Mead would fail in two of the plan’s most important goals, according to a technical assessment released last fall by Utah State University researchers.

Published:February 22, 2017
  • Read more about "Fill Mead First" plan to drain Lake Powell has sprung some big leaks

Dir. Tom Buschatzke (Arizona Department of Water Resources)

On Drought and the "Drought Contingency Plan": A conversation with Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzke about the on-going, multi-state struggle to save Lake Mead

Submitted by [email protected] on February 22, 2017 - 2:20pm
  • Read more about Dir. Tom Buschatzke (Arizona Department of Water Resources)

Arizona Senator Jeff Flake tabbed to head drought-crucial Water & Power subcommittee

Arizona Senator Jeff Flake, who in July won assurances that water stored in Lake Mead would be retained by Arizona, has been named chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power.

The new chairman’s subcommittee is responsible for overseeing federal involvement in a wide swath of water matters of substantial importance to Arizona and the Southwest.

Published:February 2, 2017
  • Read more about Arizona Senator Jeff Flake tabbed to head drought-crucial Water & Power subcommittee

Arizona Senator Jeff Flake tabbed to head drought-crucial Water & Power subcommittee

Arizona Senator Jeff Flake, who in July won assurances that water stored in Lake Mead would be retained by Arizona, has been named chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power.

The new chairman’s subcommittee is responsible for overseeing federal involvement in a wide swath of water matters of substantial importance to Arizona and the Southwest.

Published:February 2, 2017
  • Read more about Arizona Senator Jeff Flake tabbed to head drought-crucial Water & Power subcommittee

Interior Dept., Sen. Jeff Flake, agree to assuring Arizona water remains Arizona's water

As a result of a compromise agreement with Arizona U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake, the federal Interior Department has pledged that Colorado River water contributed by Arizona to the effort to stabilize Lake Mead will not be released to any other state “without the consensus of all three Lower Basin States.”

Published:July 21, 2016
  • Read more about Interior Dept., Sen. Jeff Flake, agree to assuring Arizona water remains Arizona's water

Lake Mead Water: It's not always for "fightin" over

The snarky slogan that “whiskey is for drinkin’ and water’s for fightin’” gets bandied about a lot in drought years.

Even after nearly 17 years of drought, there has not been a lot of fightin’ among the Southwestern states over the dwindling supplies of water in Lake Mead.

In fact, the level of cooperation among Arizona, Nevada and California, as well as the federal government, is a big part of why the federal Bureau of Reclamation likely will not issue a “shortfall” declaration in 2017 to protect water levels in Lake Mead.

Published:August 17, 2016
  • Read more about Lake Mead Water: It's not always for "fightin" over

The Mission to Protect Lake Mead

Regarding the Colorado River system, it was the ultimate “good news/bad news” message:

 

“While we won’t be heading into shortage for 2017,” said Lisa Atkins, board president of the Central Arizona Project, “the risks remain for 2018, and they continue to increase.”

 

Added Atkins: “And that certainly is not news to anyone in this room.”

 

Published:August 24, 2016
  • Read more about The Mission to Protect Lake Mead

Colorado River water users making progress

Over the years, the Department of Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation famously use the annual December meetings of Colorado River water-users to announce big policy changes.

That didn’t happen this time at the annual Colorado River Water Users Association meetings in Las Vegas. Despite a yeoman effort to push through an agreement on a drought contingency plan among the Lower Basin states, the many moving parts of the complex “DCP” agreement did not come together before CRWUA members parted ways. 

Published:December 21, 2016
  • Read more about Colorado River water users making progress

Director Buschatzke testifies before U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources subcommittee

Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzke testified before a Senate Energy and Natural Resources subcommittee on Tuesday, May 17, seeking Senate support for prioritizing water supplies in the drought-stricken West.

Director Buschatzke testified in support of S. 2902, which identifies five specific areas that may help defend critical water resources in the West. The measure was introduced by Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and five other Western senators, including Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

Published:May 19, 2016
  • Read more about Director Buschatzke testifies before U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources subcommittee

2016 Colorado River Shortage Briefing

An overflow crowd, in four separate locations around Arizona, heard the long-anticipated news on Wednesday about the likely near-term future for Colorado River flows. Full length video from the briefing is available here.   (Presentations given at the briefing are available here)

With a few exceptions, the outlook presented was sobering.

Published:May 19, 2016
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Protecting the Colorado River Lake Mead

The Arizona Department of Water Resources, in partnership with the Central Arizona Project, held a public briefing on May 18 at the Water Resources headquarters in Phoenix.

MEETING

  • Presentations given at the briefing
  • Webinar recording
  • Fact Sheet

The rationale?

Published:May 12, 2016
  • Read more about Protecting the Colorado River Lake Mead

Dir. Tom Buschatzke (Arizona Department of Water Resources)

A brief conversation with the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources Tom Buschatzke and his analysis on the evolving contingency plans for protection of Lake Mead

Submitted by [email protected] on January 9, 2017 - 4:37pm
  • Read more about Dir. Tom Buschatzke (Arizona Department of Water Resources)

Dir. Tom Buschatzke (Arizona Department of Water Resources)

Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzke answers questions about the Interior Department decision to assure water left by Arizona in Lake Mead remains Arizona’s water

Submitted by [email protected] on January 9, 2017 - 4:13pm
  • Read more about Dir. Tom Buschatzke (Arizona Department of Water Resources)

Tom Buschatzke (Arizona Department of Water Resources)

Submitted by [email protected] on January 5, 2017 - 3:56pm
  • Read more about Tom Buschatzke (Arizona Department of Water Resources)

Colorado River Shortage Preparedness - (April 22, 2015)

Submitted by [email protected] on January 5, 2017 - 1:31pm
  • Read more about Colorado River Shortage Preparedness - (April 22, 2015)

Water Resources joins Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake on tour of threatened Lake Mead

Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake toured the Colorado River system’s drought-threatened Lake Mead area on August 31, meeting with federal and state water officials, including the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

“I was pleased to discuss with Sen. Flake the proactive response by Arizona to challenges associated with the Colorado River system,” said Water Resources Assistant Director Clint Chandler.

“Our conversation (at Hoover Dam) included references to our State’s contributions, and those of other states and Mexico, to the system."

Published:September 7, 2016
  • Read more about Water Resources joins Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake on tour of threatened Lake Mead

Arizona Is Rising Up To Meet the Challenges of Falling Water Levels at Lake Mead

Last week's announcement by the Bureau of Reclamation that Lake Mead is projected at years end to be three feet above the level that would trigger reductions in water deliveries to Arizona, Nevada and Mexico was welcome news.

But we are not out of the woods.

Arizona has built a tradition of acting on its water issues well before the crisis hits. The people of Arizona have come to expect that level of preparation. We are not about to let them down.

Published:April 23, 2016
  • Read more about Arizona Is Rising Up To Meet the Challenges of Falling Water Levels at Lake Mead

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