7 Wks Of Near-Record Low Snowfall In CO River Basin; Powell Elevation 3' Above Key Hydopower Limit

[hatrack]

The water level in Lake Powell was at a record low when rain and snow began to fall across the Colorado River Basin in October, soaking dry soils ahead of the winter season. Water managers, who hoped the trend would build into an above-average snow year that might delay a looming water crisis in the Southwest, watched the snowpack drop to near zero in November. Then, after a massive storm cycle brought six feet of snow to parts of the Rockies around the New Year, they again breathed a sigh of relief.

In the weeks since, however, snowfall throughout the watershed has been at a record or near-record low. Lake Powell, which is filled to just over a quarter of its capacity, could soon see its level drop below the critical elevation where the Glen Canyon Dam stops being able to generate power, even after this week’s storms.

EDIT

The low range of probable forecasts, (Ed. - USBR hydrologist Heather) Patno said, show that hydropower generation at the dam may become impossible before the end of 2022, marking an uncertain new reality for the 40 million people who rely on Colorado River water between Denver and Tijuana. The dam’s hydroelectric intakes are at 3,470 feet above sea level, but as the reservoir level drops below 3,525 feet the risk of equipment damage increases due to the possibility of air passing through the turbines.

“Part of the reason that 3,525 is critical,” said Gene Shawcroft, chair of Utah’s Colorado River Authority, “is because ... the hydropower generated from Glen Canyon is absolutely crucial from the energy supply standpoint. There are a lot of people that rely on that power.” Shawcroft said that the revenue generated by power production at the dam is also a key source of funding for environmental programs like endangered fish recovery programs on the Colorado and San Juan rivers. A drought response plan that is expected to be finalized by the Bureau of Reclamation and other parties in April will propose methods to prop up Lake Powell, which could include releases from upstream reservoirs and other measures, Shawcroft said.

EDIT

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2022/02/23/climate-change-drought/

Ed. - FYI the current reservoir elevation (as of 2/22, most recent available) is 3527.98. https://lakepowell.water-data.com/

[OnlinePoker]

1. It will drop below 25% capacity today or tomorrow.

There's been no update since Tuesday so I suspect it will be today. The last time it was this low was in 1968 when it was still in the initial filling phase.

[hatrack]

2. Looks like it just dropped below 25% as of today . . . .

Updated for Thursday at 25.03%, and we're at least 3/100ths below that, judging by the daily drops.