Significant amounts of snowfall over the winter of 20102011 meant more water for Lake Powell, and this effect lasted into the spring of 2012. google_color_url = "426C95"; Colorado River Basin Water Management: Evaluating and Adjusting to Hydroclimatic Variability. google_ad_height = 600; In the latter half of the decade, the drought eased somewhat. At the west end of Narrow Canyon, the Dirty Devil River joins the lake from the north. Official Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Changing Lake Levels Info. google_color_link = "0000FF"; Reclamation will continue to carefully monitor hydrologic and operational conditions and assess the need for additional responsive actions and/or changes to operations. As of Tuesday, February 28th, 2023 where elevation was 3521.04', Copyright Summit Technologies, Inc.1999 - 2023Site Views Today: 0Page Views Today: 0, The 28 tracked reservoirs above Lake Powell are currently at 58.69% of capacity. Few expected to ever see this drop in hydropower production, let alone consider what to do if Glen Canyon were to cease electricity production entirely. @) .=] j Bvq2 4=B4[YCO@p/e`5[ #("A3?M|Cd(Jje(B_il:.\7m=.{CZ&&q5O}NOB6jGptUEN1Dh'6dW30oLqmt1W#F/qy<5aJ5
LuQmB(JD'4z`9q#v k[ T Today is day 151 of 365 for the Water Year 2023. google_ad_type = "text_image"; :pNB/gb2D0p6Ecb
:qD_q7wE42TOOSW:Oa^(-]p7y|iZ.8uq:}1y3bJ]!G ) ytRdJp2 +[|}QpEU}V'k{yeKud"xl_-x lJ!UZ`,n!\3{dcb The water levels at Lake Powell have dropped around 100 feet in the last three years. //-->, Printable Version Late last fall WAPA, which operates the electric grid and distributes the power to utilities, raised rates 30% to cover reductions in power revenue. The end of January elevation and storage of Lake Powell were 3,523.45 feet (177 feet from full pool) and 5.45 million acre-feet (maf) (23 percent of live capacity), respectively. In water year 2021 unregulated inflow volume to Lake Powell was 3.50 maf (36 percent of average), the second driest year on record above 2002. Last July, to protect the 3,525 buffer zone, Reclamation ordered emergency water releases from three reservoirs in the Upper Colorado River Basin. Detailed Map of Powell U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation. Releases from Glen Canyon Dam can also fluctuate beyond scheduled releases when called upon to respond to unscheduled power outages or power system emergencies. (2007). "As a result of this update, the median water year 2022 inflow forecast into Lake Powell decreased by 800,000 acre-feet," USBR stated in a press release distributed Thursday. Precipitation was better, but still slightly below normal in the Upper Colorado River Basin. Surface Water Elevation (feet) Lake Powell End of Month Elevations1 . Though the 2022 forecast isnt expected to be finalized until later this month, water officials expect that more water will have to be released from Upper Basin storage reservoirs this summer because inflows into the lake from the drought-stressed Colorado River are expected to be well below average again, in the 60% to 80% range. Water managers, who . The Colorado River cuts through dry land that was once covered by Lake Powell on September 7, 2022, near Hite, Utah. But a long-term drying trend began in the year 2000. New 1991-2020 Averages being used this year. Note that projections of elevation and storage for water year 2023 have significant uncertainty at this point in the season. Learn more at, Photos: Heron Lake, New Mexico, August 2022, Data viz: Elephant Butte Reservoir levels, to increase the volume, depth and power of journalism, https://www.watereducationcolorado.org/fresh-water-news/, www.watereducationcolorado.org/fresh-water-news/. In July 2022, the lake reached a historic low of 1,040 feet above sea level. Along its route, the river passes through an elaborate water-management system designed to tame the yearly floods from spring snowmelt and to provide a reliable supply of water for residents as far away as California. Part of the Glen Canyon Conservancy Family, Utah D.O.T Charles Hall Ferry for UT Route 276. Utahs Flaming Gorge, Colorados Blue Mesa and New Mexicos Navajo. hb```)," In addition to the February 2023 24-Month Study based on the Most Probable inflow scenario, and in accordance with the Drought Response Operational Agreement (DROA)), Reclamation has conducted model runs in February to determine a possible range of reservoir elevations. Click for . If you have feedback on content, format, or publication frequency, please contact us. In March 2022, it fell below a critical level of 3,525 feet above sea levelthe lake's target elevation. So, it takes awhile to fill and it takes awhile to empty.". Were an initiative of theCenter for Environmental Journalismat the University of Colorado Boulder. The March 2023 releases are anticipated to fluctuate between a low of 5,276 cfs to a high of 9,641 cfs. The lake is set to reach. Based on current inflow forecasts, the current projected end of water year 2023 total Colorado Basin reservoir storage is approximately 20.93 maf (36 percent of total system capacity). Hourly releases during February 2023 will fluctuate from a low of approximately 5,797 cfs during the early morning hours to a high of 10,091 cfs during the afternoon and evening hours. He also was an associate editor at 5280 and a reporter for the Vail Daily. google_ad_format = "160x600_as"; Water supply forecast volumes decreased across most of the region, Moser said during the webinar. Click for Details, Current Snowpack Conditions for Upper Colorado Basin. In the image acquired on May 1, 2004, the reservoirs northwestern branch is isolated from the main reservoir; the shallow water upstream could not crest raised areas in the lakebed. To view the 2023 progession of snowpack above Lake Powell, click on Lake Powell Snow Chart. He said the soil moisture conditions were still well below normal across western Colorado, particularly in the southwest part of the state. More by Chris Outcalt, Got a story tip? At the beginning of the series in 1999, water levels in Lake Powell were relatively high, and the water was a clear, dark blue. On April 8, Reclamation announced it would likely keep more water in Lake Powell, reducing releases from the planned 7.5 million acre-feet to 7 million acre-feet, a move that could trigger emergency water cutbacks in Arizona, California and Nevada. On April 8, Reclamation announced it would likely keep more water in Lake Powell, reducing releases from the planned 7.5 million acre-feet to 7 million acre-feet, a move that could trigger emergency water cutbacks in Arizona, California and Nevada. The February forecast for water year 2023 ranges from a minimum probable of 8.37 maf (87 percent of average) to a January forecasted maximum probable of 14.93 maf (155 percent of average) with the most probable forecast for water year 2023 of 10.44 maf (109 percent of average). Arizona Public Radio | Your Source for NPR News, PublishedFebruary 28, 2022 at 5:00 AM MST. google_color_link = "0000FF"; Sunlight brightens plateaus and southeast-facing slopes, casting shadows on the northern and western faces of the rugged landscape. The Glen Canyon Dam annual release has initially been set to 7.00 maf, and in April 2023 Reclamation will evaluate hydrologic conditions to determine if balancing releases may be appropriate under the conditions established in the 2007 Interim Guidelines; Balancing releases will be limited (with a minimum of 7.00 maf) to protect Lake Powell from declining below elevation 3,525 feet at the end of December 2023; Balancing releases will take into account operational neutrality of the 0.480 maf that was retained in Lake Powell under the. A powerful winter storm will enter AZ early Tuesday night with rain and snow showers increasing across the region after midnight. As of Tuesday, February 28th, 2023 where elevation was 3521.04', Copyright Summit Technologies, Inc.1999 - 2023Site Views Today: 0Page Views Today: 0, The 28 tracked reservoirs above Lake Powell are currently at 58.69% of capacity. (Hugh Carey, The Colorado Sun), How Denver is spending the $41M from the Broncos sale, (720) 263-2338 Call, text, Signal or WhatsApp, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. Differences between the full period forecasts and the residual forecasts may not exactly equal the actual observed volumes due to rounding conventions (see Definitions section). However, these responses can have a noticeable impact on the river downstream of Glen Canyon Dam. Jerd Smith is editor of Fresh Water News. Lake Powell has several launch ramps along its 186-mile length. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. Last Reading: 3522.33 on Feb 12, 2023. Snow levels will fall to the lowest locations Wednesday night into Thursday morning, before the storm exits eastern Arizona Thursday afternoon. Low water effects to launch ramps and services top Lake Powell Elevation (05/18/2022) 3526.05 ft Stay in the know! LAKE POWELL, Utah Lake Powell water levels continue to drop, and a new report released by the Bureau of Reclamation projects the possibility America's . levels. The DROA coordination will continue until either (i) the minimum probable projected elevation remains above 3,525 feet for 24 months or (ii) the process moves to the next step when the most probable projected elevation indicates Powell elevations below 3,525 feet and a Drought Response Operations Plan is developed. Lund said that throughout the reservoir's history, it has refilled to its original levels just once. The Colorado River flows in from the east around Mille Crag Bend and is swallowed by the lake. Upper Colorado Region Water Operations: Current Status: Lake Powell, Spring Snow Brings Moisture to Colorado Front Range, NASA Goddard Space (Due to the angle of sunlight, this image may cause an optical illusion known as relief inversion.). By Leia Larsen. We have to take a strong look at what we will do in the unlikely event that Lake Powell stops producing hydropower, said WAPAs Meiman. %PDF-1.7
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hbbd``b`$WX)! Another 480 kaf will be left in Lake Powell by reducing Glen Canyon Dams annual release volume from 7.48 maf to 7.0 maf, as outlined in the 2007 Interim Guidelines that control operations of Glen Canyon Dam and Hoover Dam. In January, following the wet December Moser noted, the NOAA forecast called for 98% of the 30-year average to reach Powell. Back then, Hannegan said, We made an assumption that our WAPA (Western Area Power Administration) allocation would be firm, reliable and always there. Sunday, February 26, 2023 12:00:00 AM Level is 178.87 feet Consistent with Section 6.D.1 of the Interim Guidelines, Lake Powells operations in water year 2023 are governed by the Lower Elevation Balancing Tier (LEBT) with an initial projected water year release volume of 7.00 maf. The NOAA forecast center begins releasing monthly water supply forecasts for the Colorado River Basin in December. An initiative of the Center for Environmental Journalism at the University of Colorado Boulder. Boats docked at Lake Powell on July 13 . Gas Prices on Lake //2006-10-04: news According to the Bureau of Reclamation's website (on March 22, 2022), Lake The forecast is changing daily and there are still a lot of variables, said Lisa Meiman, a spokeswoman for WAPA. Powell was last within 2" of this elevation on Feb 11, 2023 There are currently 1,757,155,460,140 gallons of water in Lake Powell! In the early 21st century, this modern marvel of engineering faced an ancient enemy: prolonged drought in the American Southwest. These projections are critical for planning for an increasingly dry future in the Colorado River Basin, but a new paper from Utah State University says the model may still underestimate the risk. The deep, narrow, meandering reservoir extends upstream into southern Utah. To view the current inflow forecast relative to past inflows, click on Lake Powell Inflow Forecast. Precipitation declines combined with booming urban populations will present a significant challenge to Western water managers in the near future. The unregulated inflow during the 2000-2022 period has ranged from a low of 2.64 maf (28 percent of average) in water year 2002 to a high of 15.97 maf (166 percent of average) in water year 2011. The peak inflow to Lake Powell occurs in mid- to late spring, as the winter snow in the Rocky Mountains melts. "This is probably the largest reservoir system in the country in terms of storage. The Colorado River flows from the Rocky Mountains in Colorado through the southwestern United States. Scientists say the current drought is the driest on record in the last twelve hundred years. The Water Desk launched in April 2019 with support from the Walton Family Foundation. The forecast estimated that the amount of water that will flow into Lake Powell this spring and summer will be about 59% of average, based on 30 years of data from 1991 to 2020. The nation's second-largest reservoir is under pressure from climate change and steady demand, and is now . Level 3 Shortage Condition 1,025 ft and below Elevation 1,090 ft Elevation 1,045 ft Historical Future If Glen Canyon Dam ceases to operate, we are going to have to replace that power somewhere else and it will have a bigger carbon footprint, said Bryan Hannegan, CEO of Holy Cross Energy, which buys Lake Powells hydropower to serve customers in Western Colorado. As a news piece, this article cites verifiable, third-party sources which have all been thoroughly fact-checked and deemed credible by the Newsroom in accordance with the Civil Constitution. These instantaneous release adjustments stabilize the electrical generation and transmission system and translate to a range of about 1,300 cfs above or below the hourly scheduled release rate. KNAUs Melissa Sevigny reports. In July 2021, water levels on the lake fell to the lowest point since 1969 and have continued dropping. Mitchell declined to discuss the pending drought operations plan. Under the current most probable forecast, the total water year 2023 unregulated inflow to Lake Powell is projected to be 10.44 maf (109 percent of average). Water supply forecasts take into consideration present hydrometeorological conditions and use He began his journalism career in New Hampshire, then moved West and became a reporter at the Lafayette News. https://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/news-release/4294, https://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/#/news-release/4196, USGS site #09180500 - Colorado River near Cisco, UT, USGS site #09315000 - Green River at Green River, UT, USGS site #09379500 - San Juan River near Bluff, UT, USGS site #09380000 - Colorado River at Lees Ferry, AZ, Snowpack Conditions Upper Colorado Region Above Lake Powell, Lake Powell Inflow Forecast April-July Inflow Forecast, Current Water Year Inflow Forecast Monthly Outlooks, Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program, LTEMP - Long-Term Experimental & Management Plan, Report to Congress - Operations of Glen Canyon Dam - Water Year 2015-2016, National Park Service Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, National Park Service Grand Canyon National Park, U.S. 159 0 obj
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In the main body of Lake Powell, water pooled along its eastern edge, while large expanses of dry canyon floor were visible in the west. Under system normal conditions, fluctuations for regulation are typically short lived and generally balance out over the hour with minimal or no noticeable impacts on downstream river flow conditions. Together with the release of more water into Lake Powell from an upstream dam, the decision will keep the lake at a level at which it can continue generating hydropower for the next 12 months. a greater portion of the future hydrologic and climatic uncertainty becomes known and The annual release volume from Lake Powell during water year 2023 will be 7.77 maf under the Lower Elevation Balancing Tier and will balance the contents between Powell and Mead with annual release volumes from Glen Canyon Dam between 7.00 maf and 9.50 maf as determined under Section 6.D.1 and 7.D of the Interim Guidelines as determined by the Department of the Interior as described above. As the forecast season progresses, "We might get lucky with the weather, but the idea of the system recovering is really hard unless you reduce water use in that basin," Lund told Newsweek. Lake Powells side branches had all retreated compared to the previous years extents. 15 Day Weather Forecast SW Satellite Weather SW Water Vapor Lake Powell is down 6.18 feet from one year ago. The basin states, in a response letter, expressed concern that the water level of Lake Powell would decline below critical elevations, making the dam inoperable. Although developing snowpack in the area is "fairly good" and might stave off dead pool in Lake Powell for another year or so, according to Lund, the solution lies with people conserving water. google_ad_height = 600; Fish & Wildlife Service Endangered Species Success Stories. The lake held just 30 percent of its capacity. 0
Fresh Water News is an independent, nonpartisan news initiative of Water Education Colorado. The forecast for water year 2023 unregulated inflow to Lake Powell, issued on January 5, 2023, by the Colorado Basin River Forecast Center, projects that the most probable (median) unregulated inflow volume in water year 2023 will be 9.5 maf (99 percent of average). Lake Powell was at 26% of capacity, 168 feet below its full elevation of 3,700 feet above sea level at . But it is concerning. The release volume from Glen Canyon Dam in January was 500 kaf. "Its always good to plan for the worst, right? Updated: 10:18 PM MDT April 26, 2022 DENVER Lake Powell, on the Utah-Arizona state line, is part of a river system that supplies water to 40 million people. Antelope Point Launch Ramp Bullfrog Main Launch Ramp and last updated 5:24 PM, Sep 24, 2021. This 2022 Plan is described above and available for review here: https://www.usbr.gov/dcp/droa.html. After decades of drought, the water level in Lake Powell has sunk to unimaginable lows, threatening millions of people who rely on the water supply. Get the most up to date information on Lake Powell's water levels and the status of launch ramps from the Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, and more with the links and pages below. It can store about five times the average annual flow. The period 2000-2022 is the lowest 23-year period since the closure of Glen Canyon Dam in 1963, with an average unregulated inflow of 8.29 maf, or 93 percent of the 30-year average (1991-2020). Human actions created the Salton Sea, Californias largest lake heres Scientists studying water supply focus on weeks following peak snowpack. 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