“Landmark Decision: Judge Rules Against Colorado Reservoir Expansion, Impacting Water Management in the West”
The recent federal district court decision regarding the expansion of the Gross Reservoir in Colorado has significant implications for water management in the West, particularly in the context of the declining Colorado River. Denver Water’s plan to triple the reservoir’s water storage capacity by diverting additional water from the Colorado River has raised concerns among environmentalists and experts.
The court ruled that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers violated environmental protection laws when approving the expansion, highlighting the risks associated with further depleting the already over-appropriated Colorado River. The judge’s footnote in the decision emphasized the potential for forced reductions in water allocations for the state and the need to consider the impacts of climate change on water availability.
The Colorado River Basin is divided into Upper and Lower Basins, with the Upper Basin required to deliver a certain amount of water to the Lower Basin under the 1922 Colorado River Compact. However, years of overuse and climate change have strained the river’s resources, leading to a decline in flows and the need for cutbacks in water usage.
The decision has sparked discussions about the feasibility of new water diversion projects in the Upper Basin, with concerns raised about the lack of realistic planning for future water availability. While the court’s ruling does not halt the reservoir expansion, it calls attention to the need for more sustainable water management practices in the face of a changing climate.
Environmentalists and experts are hopeful that the decision will prompt a reevaluation of water management strategies and lead to more comprehensive planning for the future of the Colorado River. The ongoing negotiations among basin states and stakeholders to address water shortages and conservation efforts will likely be influenced by the court’s decision and the broader implications it raises for water management in the region.