There’s again been a flurry of media coverage related to the Colorado River – some related to actions taken due to the dismal snowpack and some related to the guidelines that will go in effect after this year.

To help sort things out, here’s a look at actions related to current operations and actions related to future operations.

Actions related to current operations

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) just announced a Lake Powell release adjustment related to the final 2024 Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.

What triggered this action? The potential for Lake Powell to decline below elevation 3490’.

What actions were and will be taken?

• Lake Powell monthly releases were adjusted downward. This 598,000 acre-foot reduction was announced in December 2025, taking place through April 2026.
• Additional releases have been initiated from the Upper Initial Units – 660,000 acre feet up to 1 million acre-feet (MAF), depending on hydrology.
• In April, Lake Powell releases were adjusted down again (now totaling 1.48 MAF) to result in what will be a 6 MAF release in 2026.

Actions related to future operations

In January, Reclamation issued its Draft Environmental Impact Statement for post-2026 Colorado River operations. That initiated a comment period that closed in March.

We anticipate that Reclamation will issue its Final Environmental Impact Statement in June and that Record of Decision will follow in July or August.

Pending any necessary federal or state legislation, first year of operations will begin under new agreements on Oct 1, 2026.