Arizona’s water supply coming from Colorado River safe for now

PHOENIX — Here is some great news for the millions who live in the Southwest: the Bureau of Reclamation confirmed that there will be no water shortage declared on the Colorado River next year.

The bureau’s report showed the anticipated level in Lake Mead on Jan. 1, 2016 will be 1,082 feet above sea level. Past that they are unsure. The Central Arizona Project indicates there’s only a 15 percent probability of a shortage being declared in 2017.

Those numbers are more than seven feet above the 1,075-foot level that would trigger a shortage declaration for the lower Colorado River.

Mitch Basefsky with Central Arizona Project said a spectacular May and June in the Rocky Mountains in the Colorado River Basin made that happen.

“It was cooler than normal and much more snow and rain than they normally get at that time of year. That allowed trillions of gallons of water into the Colorado River system than originally anticipated as late as April.

“Secondly, CAP, seven states and Mexico have been leaving water in Lake Mead specifically for the purpose of delaying or preventing a shortage from occurring. CAP alone in the past year has left 170,000 acre feet. That’s about a third more water than we deliver to Phoenix every year.”

Basefsky said CAP will continue to work with its partners in Arizona, other Colorado River Basin states, the United States and Mexico on initiatives to stave off possible future water restrictions on the river system.

There are high hopes that a strong El Nino will deliver a wetter than normal winter. Weather experts said this could be the strongest since 1950.

“That will help the Salt River Project reservoirs. It will cut down demand so there will be more water available to leave in Lake Mead or storing underground,” Basefsky said.

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