In response to the ongoing challenges facing the Colorado River and its key reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, thousands of concerned individuals and organizations have provided input to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation regarding their vision for the river’s future.
For years, Lake Mead, straddling Nevada and Arizona, and Lake Powell, nestled between Utah and Arizona, have grappled with a regional drought. Excessive water usage has been depleting the Colorado River at a rate surpassing the natural replenishment from weather patterns. While above-average snowfall and spring precipitation temporarily boosted water levels at both reservoirs, many experts hold reservations about the prospects of these vital water bodies ever reaching full capacity again.
The prolonged drought conditions and excessive water demands have had severe consequences for the Colorado River, which has lost over 10 trillion gallons of water over the past two decades. This diminishing water supply not only impacts the efficiency of hydropower generation at the Glen Canyon Dam in Arizona but also exacerbates drought concerns downstream at Lake Mead.
In light of these pressing issues, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation sought public input on the future of the Colorado River. The response from the public has been substantial.
A notable proposal that garnered attention and support is the “Fill Mead First” plan. Advocates of this concept suggest rerouting the Colorado River directly into Lake Mead by bypassing the Glen Canyon Dam, effectively rendering Lake Powell obsolete. This audacious proposal, initially put forth by the Glen Canyon Institute, has both fervent supporters and vocal detractors, including Native American tribes and the BlueRibbon Coalition, a national recreation group.
The Glen Canyon Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration of Glen Canyon, proposed the Fill Mead First plan, which calls for the construction of tunnels that would allow the Colorado River to circumvent the Glen Canyon Dam, thus eliminating Lake Powell.
However, numerous others have urged the Bureau to consider alternative solutions that preserve the recreational potential of Lake Powell. Many shared personal stories of cherished memories formed on the lake, emphasizing its sentimental value.
One individual wrote of meeting their spouse at Lake Powell and becoming engaged there. Another expressed the profound sadness they felt witnessing the declining water levels at Lake Powell and emphasized the importance of sustaining its water levels for countless people.
The BlueRibbon Coalition presented an alternative proposal known as the “Path to 3588,” which contrasts with the Fill Mead First concept. Instead of draining Lake Powell, this plan suggests raising the water levels to 3,588 feet, thereby maintaining access to major recreational amenities.
Organizations supporting the Blue-ribbon Coalition emphasized the need to balance recreational interests with other water users and advocated for maintaining viable lake levels in both Lake Powell and Lake Mead.