The Secretary of the Interior - Washington - CO River Interim Guidelines for Lower Basin Shortages and the Coordinated Operations for Lake Powell and Lake Mead

• Year: 2007
• Title: The Secretary of the Interior - Washington - CO River Interim Guidelines for Lower Basin Shortages and the Coordinated Operations for Lake Powell and Lake Mead
• CWCB Section: Interstate & Federal
• Description: The Secretary of the Interior - Washington - CO River Interim Guidelines for Lower Basin Shortages and the Coordinated Operations for Lake Powell and Lake Mead
• Publications - Doc Type: Other

Interim Guidelines for the
Operation of Lake Powell
and Lake Mead
F. Preferred Alternative
The Preferred Alternative incorporates operational elements identified in the Basin
States and Conservation Before Shortage alternatives. This alternative includes
shortages to conserve reservoir storage and a coordinated operation of Lake Powell
and Lake Mead determined by specified reservoir conditions that would minimize
shortages in the Lower Basin and avoid risk of curtailments of use in the Upper
Basin; and also adopts the ICS mechanism for promoting water conservation in the
Lower Basin. It is anticipated that the maximum cumulative amount of ICS would
be 2.1 maf pursuant to Section XI.D. of this ROD; however, the potential effects of
a maximum cumulative amount of ICS of up to 4.2 maf have been analyzed in the
Final EIS. This alternative also includes modification and extension of the ISG
through 2026.1
V. Basis for Decision
In 2005, tensions among the Basin States brought the basin closer to multi-state and
inter-basin litigation than perhaps any time since the adoption of the Compact. On May
2, 2005, in a decision of the Secretary, the Department outlined a number of
fundamental considerations that would guide the NEPA process that concludes with the
adoption of this ROD. These considerations include:
• concern regarding the impacts of drought throughout the Colorado River Basin;
• a recognition of the recent history of close and productive working relationships
among the Basin States;
• a belief that discussions among the states could facilitate the development of
additional tools to improve coordinated operation of Colorado River reservoirs;
1 It is anticipated that elements of flee decision adopted by this ROD will be implemented flirough a
number of agreements. The following agreements are anticipated to be executed at or about the time of
issuance of this ROD:
^ Delivery Agreement between the United States and Imperial Irrigation District (IID)
^ Delivery Agreement between the United States and The Metropolitan Water District of Southern
California (MWD)
^ Delivery Agreement between the United States, Southern Nevada Water Authority (SN~'A) and the
Colorado River Commission of Nevada (CRCN)
^ Funding and Construction of the Lower Colorado River Drop 2 Storage Reservoir Project Agreement
among the United States, SNWA, and CRCN
^ Lower Colorado River Basin Intentionally Created Surplus Forbearance .agreement among the Arizona
Department of Water Resources, the Southern Nevada Water Authority, CRCN, the Palo Verde
Irrigation District (PVID), IID, Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD), MWD, and the City of
Needles
^ California Agreement for the Creation and Delivery of Extraordinary Conservation Intentionally
Created Surplus among the PVID, IID, CV~'D, M~'D and the City of Needles
ROD -Colorado River Interim Guidelines for December 2007
Lower Basin Shortages and Coordinated 11
Operations for Lake Powell and Lake Mead