Upper Colorado News & Highlights
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News Release – November 20, 2024
WASHINGTON — Since Day One of the Biden-Harris administration, the Department of the Interior has led critical discussions over how to bring the Colorado River back from the brink of crisis in the face of a 24-year drought. Having achieved overwhelming success in 2023 on interim operation plans to guide operations through 2026 with a historic consensus agreement, and following more than a year of collaboration with the states and Tribes who call the Colorado River Basin home, the Biden-Harris administration today released the next step in a responsible path to guide post-2026 operations for the Colorado River. Read More
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News Release – November 19, 2024
PAGE, Ariz. – The Bureau of Reclamation, as a result of cooler weather, is stopping releases of colder water from the depths of Lake Powell into the Colorado River downstream of Glen Canyon Dam initially started to disrupt reproduction of smallmouth bass. Reclamation selected the 'cool mix' flow alternative in the Record of Decision for the Glen Canyon Dam Long-Term Experimental and Management Plan Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. Read More
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News Release – November 18, 2024
Agreement reached for Rio Grande water storage in Abiquiu Reservoir
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Bureau of Reclamation, Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District reached an agreement to allow storage of Rio Grande water in the water authority's allotted space in Abiquiu Reservoir for up to 10 years. This allows the continued operation of the Middle Rio Grande project while Reclamation moves forward with necessary Safety of Dams improvements at El Vado Dam. Read More
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News Release – November 18, 2024
WASHINGTON — The Department of the Interior today announced a $125 million investment for five projects in California and Utah that will help create new sources of water and improve drought resiliency. Read More
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News Release – November 8, 2024
Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project completion deadline extended to 2029
FARMINGTON, N.M. ─ The completion deadline for the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project was extended to December 31, 2029, through an agreement between the U.S. Department of the Interior, Navajo Nation, and State of New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission, collectively referred to as the settlement parties to the Navajo Nation's Water Right Settlement on the San Juan River Basin in New Mexico. Read More
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News Release – October 31, 2024
WASHINGTON – The Department of the Interior today announced a nearly $82 million investment from President Biden's Investing in America agenda to bring clean, safe drinking water to Tribal communities in the West. The investment will fund 23 projects through a new program established through the Inflation Reduction Act—the largest climate investment ever. Read More
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News Release – October 21, 2024
Reclamation to conduct first fill test at El Vado Dam
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Bureau of Reclamation is set to evaluate the performance of El Vado Dam through a 'first fill test' over the coming months. This test will involve incrementally raising the water level in El Vado Reservoir to assess the dam's stability and performance at various elevations. Read More
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News Release – October 1, 2024
WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Reclamation today announced a $9.2 million investment supported by President Biden's Investing in America agenda to support Tribal efforts to develop, manage and protect water and related resources, and mitigate drought impacts and the loss of Tribal trust resources. The 25 projects selected through the Native American Affairs Technical Assistance Program, with funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and annual appropriations will benefit 18 federally recognized Tribes across 11 western states. Read More