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e e Basin bickering Don't alter Lake Powell releases Arizona Republic Apr. 28, 2005 12:00 AM Interior Secretary Gale Norton consistently has asked the seven Western states that rely on the Colorado River to reach an agreement on water use - or face the prospect of the federal government imposing its will. It's a plea she has made regarding the development of guidelines in the event Norton declares a shortage on the river because of the five-year drought. And it's a plea she has made to the states for a possible midyear change in water releases from Lake Powell. Unfortunately, there has been little progress on either front, underscoring the Western adage that whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting. On Tuesday in Las Vegas, the Lower Basin states of Arizona, Nevada and California were at loggerheads with their counterparts from the Upper Basin - Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and New Mexico - over whether there should be an adjustment in releases from Lake Powell from May 1 through Sept. 30. The Lower Basin argues against any reduction in Lake Powell releases. Mother Nature has been kind to the watershed this year, offering a respite to the drought. Moreover, runoff for the upper river will be greater than originally projected. Thus, the annual operating plan need not be changed at midyear. The Upper Basin, which is required to release 8.23 million acre-feet of water annually for Lower Basin use, wants to reduce flows. That's because Lake Mead received extra water this year from heavy winter runoff. Besides, the Upper Basin needs more help to recover from the drought. Norton may think she is on the horns of a dilemma. She isn't. The Lower Basin's argument is the persuasive one. Why change in midyear when conditions are much improved? There is no crisis. The amount of water stored is expected to rise by 7 percent, another sign that the river's health is improving. Also, there are no immediate risks to water or power producers to justify any alteration in releases.