Dropping water levels in Lakes Powell and Mead have caused concerns about power generation from lakes. Due to this problem, the Upper Colorado River Commission (UCRC), U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and four water providers have been funding pilot projects to test methods for conserving water, such as the System Conservation Pilot Program.
The purpose of the System Conservation Pilot Program is to explore and learn about the effectiveness of temporary, voluntary and compensated measures that could be used to help maintain water levels in Lake Powell. These water elevations are needed to protect the Colorado River compact entitlements as well as maintain hydroelectric power production.
The UCRC is inviting users of the Colorado River System Water to submit proposals to the Pilot Program pertaining to water conservation projects. This proposal request pertains to users in the Upper Division states, including Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming and could result in compensation
The program gives irrigators the opportunity to reduce their consumptive use of irrigation water and receive compensation from the UCRC. This is the only the second year Utahns were given the chance to compete in the project as many of the previous projects were in Colorado and Wyoming.
All measures proposed to the System Conservation Pilot are voluntary and last only for one year. For 2018, these pilot projects could include temporary fallowing or deficit irrigation of agricultural crops and reuse of industrial water. Improvement of distribution system efficiency to reduce consumptive use, reductions in municipal landscape irrigation or indoor use and other methods that would result in additional water conservation for the Colorado River System are also encouraged.
By creating this market, the hope is to prevent the need for a downstream call on water that could potentially prevent Upper Basin water rights holders from ever having to forfeit water due to shortages to senior water rights holders.
The program is open to applications until Dec. 1. More information on the program and the form to apply can be found at www.water.utah.gov.
Groups such as Trout Unlimited and the Nature Conservancy are trained to help those that might be interested in submitting an application and can be contacted to aid in developing water conservation strategies.