Colorado River Update. Colby N. Pellegrino, Director - Water Resources

Transcription

1 Colorado River Update Colby N. Pellegrino, Director - Water Resources

2 Climate Conditions U.S DROUGHT MONITOR

3 Climate Conditions U.S. SEASONAL DROUGHT OUTLOOK

4 Climate Conditions MONTHLY PRECIPITATION: WATER YEAR 2018 October November December January February March April May June July August September Composite Explanation (Oct-Mar)

5 Climate Conditions MAX TEMPERATURE: WATER YEAR 2018 October November December January February March April May June July August September Explanation

6 TEMPERATURES (2017)

7 WHY TEMPERATURE MATTERS Between 2000 and 2014, annual Colorado River flows averaged 19 percent below the average (worst 15-year drought on record) One-third of this loss, on average, is due to unprecedented temperatures, confirming model-based analysis that continued warming will likely further reduce flows

8 Reservoir Status Reservoir Percent Full Content (1,000 acre-feet) Elevation Lake Powell 53% 12,815 3, Lake Mead 40% 10,552 1, Total System Contents 52% 30,784 System content last year: 50%

9 LAKE MEAD: CURRENT ELEVATION 1,220 ft. 40% of capacity Observed April 16, , ft. 17% of capacity 1,000 ft. Hoover Dam

10 LAKE MEAD: PROJECTED ELEVATION USBR April 2018 Forecast 1,220 ft. 38% of capacity Projected Dec. 31, , ft. 17% of capacity 1,000 ft. Hoover Dam

11 LAKE MEAD: PROJECTED ELEVATION USBR April 2018 Forecast 1,220 ft. 37% of capacity Projected Dec. 31, , ft. 17% of capacity 1,000 ft. Hoover Dam

12 Water Supply Precipitation to date: 74% of average Snowpack to date: 75% Forecasted Inflow to Lake Powell WY 2018: 54% of average Apr-Jul: 46% of average Climate Conditions UPPER BASIN SNOW CONDITIONS (As of April 23, 2018)

13 DROUGHT RESPONSE WATER BANKING Storing water supplies for the future Southern Nevada has spent decades preparing for drought to ensure the reliability of water supplies for Southern Nevada. RESOURCE PLANNING Working with partners & developing comprehensive plans to manage supplies CONSERVATION Incentives, programs, regulation & pricing INFRASTRUCTURE Constructing major facilities 13

14 CONSERVATION Southern Nevada s conservation program promotes the efficient use of water resources and relies on four key tenets: REGULATIONS PROGRAMS PRICING EDUCATION Development codes, watering restrictions and other local ordinances help keep the use of water efficient. Incentive programs offer rebates for water-saving technologies and practices, such as car washes, landscape removal and pool covers. Local purveyors establish water rates that send conservation signals, but remain competitive among similarly-sized western cities. Tools such as the Speakers Bureau program, Youth Advisory Council, websites, publications, social media and public access TV show help reinforce messaging

15 CONSERVATION PROGRESS REPORT SINCE 2002

16 WATER RESOURCES The SNWA relies upon a mix of permanent, temporary and future water resources to meet Southern Nevada s water demands. TEMPORARY PERMANENT FUTURE

17 BANKED RESOURCES Southern Nevada continues to store water for future use. 238, , , , ,000 ICS Southern Nevada Bank California Bank Arizona Bank 2016 COLORADO RIVER CONSUMPTIVE USE BANKED RESOURCES 17

18 SNWA WATER RESOURCE PLAN 1,200,000 Lower Demand 20,000 AFY Shortage Acre-Feet/Year (Diversion Volume) 1,000, , , ,000 Temporary Resources Permanent Resources 200,

19 SNWA WATER RESOURCE PLAN 1,200,000 Upper Demand 40,000 AFY Shortage Acre-Feet/Year (Diversion Volume) 1,000, , , ,000 Temporary Resources Future Resources Permanent Resources 200,

20 SNWA WATER RESOURCE PLAN Additional Conservation 1,200,000 Current net GPCD is 123 Acre-Feet/Year (Diversion Volume) 1,000, , , ,000 Current Conservation Goal 116 GPCD by 2035 and 111 GPCD by 2068) Temporary Resources Permanent Resources Additional Conservation (108 GPCD by 2035 and 102 GPCD by 2055) Future Resources 200,

21 PROTECTING LAKE MEAD Proposed voluntary reductions would help reduce risk to Lake Mead s elevations. Percent Occurrence 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% Current Risk Current Risk with Climate Change Lake Mead Elevations (Probability of <1,020 ft. in any month) Adjusted Current Risk with Lower Basin States Voluntary Water Reductions 30% 20% 10% 0%

22 PROTECTING LAKE MEAD 1,140 1,130 1,120 Investments in conservation have slowed Lake Mead s decline. Lake Mead Elevation (ft.) 1,110 1,100 1,090 1,080 1,070 1,082 ft: Today s elevation 1,060 1, End of Year Elevation Brock ICS MOU System Conservation Mexico Deferred Delivery Current Lake Mead Elevation 1,050 ft. Lake elevation without conservation activities

23 PROTECTING LAKE MEAD In the face of continued drought, Colorado River Basin States are negotiating changes to existing operating agreements. Once finalized, the Drought Contingency Plan aims to: Protect Lake Mead s elevations from falling below 1,020 feet Implement voluntary reductions in water use beyond those required by the 2007 Interim Guidelines Includes a commitment by the U.S. to work to create or conserve Colorado River system water Permit recovery of additional reduction volumes under certain conditions Incentivize ICS creation/storage

24 PROTECTING LAKE MEAD Proposed voluntary reductions would be tied to Lake Mead s elevations 2007 Interim Guidelines Shortages (kaf) Voluntary Reductions (kaf) Combined Reductions (kaf) (2007 Interim Guidelines Shortages + Voluntary Reductions) Lake Mead Elevation (ft) AZ NV AZ NV CA AZ NV CA TOTAL 1, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,017 < 1, ,100

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