Colorado River imbalance in supply and demand

A new study analyzes the challenges of "ensuring a sustainable water supply and meeting future
demand" in the Colorado River, which is an "over-allocated and highly variable system."

The study concludes that the average imbalance in future supply and demand is projected to be greater than 3.2 million acre-feet by 2060. The study projects that the largest increase in demand will come from municipal and industrial users, owing to population growth. The Colorado River Basin currently provides water to some 40 million people, and the study estimates that this number could nearly double to approximately 76.5 million people by 2060, under a rapid growth scenario.

In related news, Brown & Caldwell Water News says officials from the United States and Mexico signed an agreement, Minute319, with three major provisions: "it brings Mexico into existing U.S. water-management agreements for sharing shortages and surpluses; it allows U.S. states to pay for irrigation improvements across the border and reap some of the water savings; and it allocates water for the restoration of the Colorado River delta."

Public comments are encouraged on the final Bureau of Rec study over the next 90 days; comments will be summarized and posted to the website for consideration in future basin planning activities.

Additional information, questions, and/or comments on the Study may be directed to:

Pam Adams

e-mail: ColoradoRiverBasinStudy@usbr.gov

phone: 702-293-8500

fax: 702-293-8418

 

[taken from the Bureau of Reclamation announcement and report]