Win a $74k+ Custom Side-by-Side & Trailer Package  –  Click Here

Support Bureau of Reclamation’s Plan to Save Lake Powell and Lake Mead: Lake Powell Short Term Proposals for 2023-2026

Apr 20, 2023

Categories: Action Alert | Arizona | Fill Lake Powell | Link | Motorboat | National Park Service | Personal Watercraft | River Raft/Kayak/Canoe | Uncategorized | Utah
Why you should submit here, even if you already have elsewhere!

We keep them honest. If everyone only comments through the government/agency site, we have to take their word on how many comments were received. By submitting through BRC, we create an independent record of our community’s response that can’t be buried or under-reported.

We protect your voice. If this fight ends up in court, having our own record of submitted comments means we don’t have to wait a year or more for a government agency to turn over documents. We can move quickly with proof that thousands of you spoke up.
We keep you in the loop. When you comment through our site, we can send you updates on what comes next. If you only use the government/agency site, you’re depending on them to tell you what happens next — and they won’t.

Double coverage matters. Even if you’ve already commented through the government/agency site, submitting through ours makes your voice count twice — once in their system, and once in ours. That way they know the OHV community is watching and tracking every move.

For years, BRC has been trusted to run action alerts like this. Thousands of members and supporters have used this system effectively to defend access to public lands. This isn’t about collecting your info — it’s about building the strongest, most transparent record possible to hold agencies accountable.

Why you should submit here, even if you already have elsewhere!

We keep them honest. If everyone only comments through the government/agency site, we have to take their word on how many comments were received. By submitting through BRC, we create an independent record of our community’s response that can’t be buried or under-reported.

We protect your voice. If this fight ends up in court, having our own record of submitted comments means we don’t have to wait a year or more for a government agency to turn over documents. We can move quickly with proof that thousands of you spoke up.

We keep you in the loop. When you comment through our site, we can send you updates on what comes next. If you only use the government/agency site, you’re depending on them to tell you what happens next — and they won’t.

Double coverage matters. Even if you’ve already commented through the government/agency site, submitting through ours makes your voice count twice — once in their system, and once in ours. That way they know the OHV community is watching and tracking every move.

For years, BRC has been trusted to run action alerts like this. Thousands of members and supporters have used this system effectively to defend access to public lands. This isn’t about collecting your info — it’s about building the strongest, most transparent record possible to hold agencies accountable.

The Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) has released its draft supplementary environmental impact statement (SEIS) for short term management of the Colorado River which effects Lake Powell and Lake Mead as well as millions of users. Several documents play a roll in the management of these bodies of waters such as the 2007 interim guidelines, which will be updated in 2026, 2016 long term experimental management plan, 2019 drought contingency pan and several other emergency drought contingency plans. This DSEIS that is open for public comment now will provide operating instructions through 2026 and would begin October 1, 2023. Proposed was the no action alternative that would keep management the same, and two other management options, Alternative 1 and Alternative 2. We’ve prepared an action alert that make it easy for you to send a comment into the BOR to share your support for better managing of lake levels. Comments are due May 30, 2023.

Full Briefing:

The Path to 3588′ was not made into it’s own alternative however BOR did incorporate elements of this plan into the the proposed alternatives. The two alternatives are very similar with the main difference being that Alternative 1 prioritizes senior water right holders and their reductions while Alternative 2 makes the same reductions for all water right holders which is what the Path to 3588′ proposed with the addition of making the same reductions throughout the entire Colorado River Basin. We support Alternative 2 because protecting the overall system will ultimately protect senior water right holders.

Bureau of Reclamation recognizes recreation as an important stakeholder and interest in this process. This recognition is a huge win for our users and shows that our voices have been heard as the Path to 3588′ has been considered.

The plan currently has three tiers, depending on snow melts and precipitation levels the tiers mandate how much water needs to be released through the dams. The two alternatives proposed still have three tiers just at different amounts as you can see below. Alternatives 1 and 2 have the same balancing tier.

All Alternatives: The Mid-Elevation Tier would predict at the beginning of the year, if the Lake Powell levels will be between 3,525-3,575, 7.48 maf would be released if Lake Mead levels are predicted to be at or above 1,025. If Mead’s levels are predicted to be less than 1,025 then 8.23 maf will be released from Powell.

Alternative 1: releases between 6.0-8.23 when below 3575 with lower releases to keep at 3,500 ft.

Lower elevation tier: “When the projected January 1 Lake Powell elevation is below 3,575 feet, an initial annual release in the amount of 6.0 maf would be set from Lake Powell.” Unless the April study projects above 3,575then 8.23 may would be released if its below it would be 7.48 max

Alternative 2:

“Action Alternative 2 models releases between 6.0 maf and 8.23 maf from Lake Powell when it is below 3,575 feet, with potentially lower releases to preserve an elevation of 3,500 feet”

“Action Alternative 2 models progressively larger Lower Basin reductions as Lake Mead’s elevation declines and models larger Lower Basin reductions in 2025– 2026 as compared with 2024.”

There aren’t major differences between Alternatives 1 and 2. Alternative 2 analyzes larger shortages across the lower basin. The proposal does allow for a mid-year review to adjust the operational tier which would be beneficial as of now there is no such review.

Recreation:

“100,000-af increase in Lake Powell volume over a year was associated with 5,280 additional recreational visits to Lake Powell and $374,000 in additional visitor spending in tourism-related sectors in Coconino County, Arizona. The Lake Powell volume- visitation and volume-spending models imply the average visitor to Lake Powell spends $71”. “Based on communication with the NPS, the State of Utah believes recreational access to Lake Powell contributes up to $8 million to the state’s economy.”

Rafting and fishing will hardly be affected because of minimum flow requirements

According to the DSEIS, effects to economic contributions will be the same no matter the action alternative selected for recreation. 

Meetings:

Appreciate What We Do?

It takes a team of people to investigate, review, advocate and litigate in order to protect your rights to public lands. Please consider donating today so we can defend your ground.

Tax-Deductible Donation
Latest Articles
Grand Staircase-Escalante CRA: What Critics Are Getting Wrong

Grand Staircase-Escalante CRA: What Critics Are Getting Wrong

Apr 4, 2026

Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen a familiar coordinated push claiming that congressional action on the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument (GSENM) management plan would be “undemocratic” and lead to “chaos.” This is the kind of push that usually feels more...

More Articles »

Categories