ARIZONA NEWS

Arizona water officials warn the state could move into a deeper stage of drought by August

May 10, 2022, 4:45 AM

(File Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)...

(File Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

(File Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

PHOENIX — The Colorado River has reached drastically low water levels and Arizona experts don’t see conditions improving in the near future.

The Colorado River Basin is seeing the driest conditions in more than 1,200 years, with the drought lasting over 22 years.

The Bureau of Reclamation last year declared the first-ever Tier 1 shortage for the Colorado River, cutting more than 500,000 acre-feet of water from Arizona due to drought conditions.

Now, the state could move into a Tier 2a water shortage.

“In Tier 2a, Arizona loses another 80,000 acre-feet,” Tom Buschatzke, the director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, said.

“I believe about half of that will be lost by Gila River Indian Community and the rest by Valley cities who have a non-Indian agricultural priority water.”

Buschatzke stresses Arizona homeowners won’t see much of an impact with the potential cut of 80,000 acre-feet.

“I don’t think that 80,000 acre-feet is going to result in a hue and cry in which they’re going to say you have to turn off your sprinklers outside or you can’t fill up your pool,” he said.

“It’s not that level of cut.”

The conditions of Lake Powell and Lake Mead were broken down in a media briefing on Monday.

Lake Powell is at an elevation of 3,523 feet which is 24% capacity. Buschatzke said it’s the lowest since the lake’s first filling.

Lake Mead’s water elevation is at 1,054 feet, which is 31% of capacity. Dan Bunk, with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, said the lake is projected to drop at least another 10 feet or so by this summer and he’s not particularly optimistic about either reservoir.

Buschatzke attributes the drought conditions to dry soil and higher temperatures in the west.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

cables on the floor...

SuElen Rivera

Arizona AG Mayes launches investigation into lead-covered cables

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced the launch of an investigation into possible lead-covered cables across the state.

4 hours ago

Rendering of the International Dark Sky Discovery Center in Fountain Hills....

Kevin Stone

International Dark Sky Discovery Center sets March 2024 groundbreaking in Fountain Hills

After years of planning, construction on the International Dark Sky Discovery Center in Fountain Hills is set to start in March 2024.

4 hours ago

The owners of Rio Mirage Café bought land in Goodyear to expand their West Valley restaurant busin...

Kevin Stone

Owners of Rio Mirage Café buy land for 3rd West Valley restaurant

The owners of Rio Mirage Café recently plunked down $2.3 million on a plot of land in Goodyear to expand their West Valley restaurant business.

4 hours ago

Phoenix patrol vehicle with caution tape nearby....

KTAR.com

1 teen killed, 2 others critically injured in west Phoenix shooting

One teenager was killed and two others were hospitalized after a shooting in west Phoenix Wednesday afternoon.

11 hours ago

(KTAR News Photo)...

KTAR.com

KTAR News anchor Jayme West reads to 3rd graders as part of ‘Read to the Final Four’

KTAR News anchor Jayme West read to third graders at Glenn F. Burton Elementary School as part of a Final Four challenge.

12 hours ago

road closed sign...

KTAR.com

US 93 reopened after crash closed highway in both directions near Wickenburg

U.S. 93 was closed in both directions near Wickenburg on Wednesday night, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

13 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Follow @KTAR923...

Valley residents should be mindful of plumbing ahead of holidays

With Halloween in the rear-view and more holidays coming up, Day & Night recommends that Valley residents prepare accordingly.

...

Dierdre Woodruff

Interest rates may have peaked. Should you buy a CD, high-yield savings account, or a fixed annuity?

Interest rates are the highest they’ve been in decades, and it looks like the Fed has paused hikes. This may be the best time to lock in rates for long-term, low-risk financial products like fixed annuities.

...

Midwestern University

Midwestern University: innovating Arizona health care education

Midwestern University’s Glendale Campus near Loop 101 and 59th Avenue is an established leader in health care education and one of Arizona’s largest and most valuable health care resources.

Arizona water officials warn the state could move into a deeper stage of drought by August