Nevada Proposes Urgent Colorado River Plan as Basin States Disagree

As the Colorado River grapples with its driest conditions in decades, Nevada has stepped away from its traditional agreements with Lower Basin neighbors to propose an independent emergency plan aimed at stabilizing Lake Powell and Lake Mead. The plan, articulated by John Entsminger, the general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, seeks to address the alarming declines in water levels expected over the next two years.

Entsminger emphasized the necessity of a pragmatic two-year operating plan that can gain traction among the other six states sharing the Colorado River. “Nevada is willing to step out on our own and propose a pragmatic, two-year operating plan that we hope all six other states will adopt,” he stated. This proposal was submitted as part of Nevada’s official comments regarding the Interior Department’s draft environmental impact statement, which outlines four options for a potential twenty-year agreement—none of which have met with approval from the involved states.

The urgency behind Nevada’s plan arises from the missed deadline last month for a consensus agreement among the seven states in the Colorado River Basin. With the federal government’s cutoff looming, states were required to articulate their positions on the remaining options. In the proposal, Nevada contends that the dire hydrological conditions necessitate re-evaluating the Colorado River’s operation every six months, coinciding with the water year that runs from October through September. This approach aims to circumvent a protracted and costly legal battle in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Changes in Strategy and Focus on Infrastructure

Nevada’s proposal marks a significant shift in strategy, as it appears ready to move away from the contentious issue of mandatory cuts to the water shares of the Upper Basin states, which include Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Wyoming. Instead, the state advocates for prioritizing upstream reservoirs such as Flaming Gorge, Navajo, and Aspinall to ensure adequate water flow into Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell.

The Bureau of Reclamation has noted that if Lake Powell’s elevation drops below 3,490 feet, it may jeopardize the river outlet works, raising questions about future water releases to Lake Mead. To mitigate low water levels this year, the Bureau plans to transfer water from Flaming Gorge, situated across Utah and Wyoming.

Nevada’s proposal includes a commitment from the Lower Basin states, which encompass Arizona and California, to accept 1.25 million acre-feet of mandatory reductions in both 2027 and 2028. In contrast, Nevada’s water allocation is significantly smaller, totaling 300,000 acre-feet, with actual consumption at 198,000 acre-feet last year after accounting for recycling credits.

Kyle Roerink, executive director of the Great Basin Water Network, expressed support for Nevada’s proactive stance. He highlighted the need for decision-makers to recognize the serious implications of low-flow scenarios on the river’s infrastructure, stating, “We’re lucky that folks in Nevada understand the big picture.”

Building Consensus and Future Prospects

The reception of Nevada’s proposal among the other Colorado River states remains uncertain. Entsminger acknowledged the mixed responses, stating, “There are things for all other six states to love in there, and there are things for all other six states to hate in there.”

Despite the uncertainty, California’s lead negotiator, JB Hamby, indicated support for Nevada’s ideas, suggesting potential for collaboration. Hamby remarked, “With California’s support, Nevada can now count to two, and we hope to continue building momentum and expanding that common-sense coalition.”

Conversely, Arizona has taken a more aggressive stance since the deadline passed, asserting that proposed reductions could severely impact cities like Phoenix and Tucson, according to a spokesperson from the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

The potential for more frequent meetings among the states could foster a more productive dialogue, according to Elizabeth Koebele, a professor at the University of Nevada, Reno. She believes that structured decision-making processes may help address misunderstandings and facilitate cooperation. Koebele mentioned prior successful initiatives, such as pilot programs offering compensation to farmers in exchange for fallowing fields, illustrating that collaborative efforts can yield positive outcomes.

The long-term success of Nevada’s short-term plan hinges on whether the Upper Basin states will accept the proposal’s stipulations regarding upstream water management. Nevertheless, Nevada’s willingness to take the initiative underscores its role as a forward-thinking leader in water governance, despite its relatively smaller share of the Colorado River resources. Koebele concluded, “We’ve done a lot while our population has grown, and we are regularly staying inside our allocation.”