Eric KuhnGeneral Manager, Colorado River Water Conservation District

Eric KuhnGeneral Manager, Colorado River Water Conservation District

Congressional Briefing June 6, 2008 – Washington, DC

Eric Kuhn, General Manager

Pieces of the Puzzle: the Colorado River Basin Pieces of the Puzzle: the Colorado River Basin

= 10.0 maf/year OUTFLOW= 10.0 maf/year OUTFLOW

- 4.4 maf California- 4.4 maf California- 0.3 maf Nevada- 0.3 maf Nevada

- 1.0 maf losses - 1.0 maf losses

- 2.8 maf Arizona - 2.8 maf Arizona - 1.5 maf Mexico - 1.5 maf Mexico

Lake Powell

OUTFLOW > INFLOW OUTFLOW > INFLOWL

ow

er B

asin Lake

Mead

Up

per

Bas

in

= 9.0 maf/year INFLOW= 9.0 maf/year INFLOW

+ 0.02 maf Paria River + 0.02 maf Paria River

+ 0.75 maf tributary inflow + 0.75 maf tributary inflow

+ 8.23 maf from Lake Powell + 8.23 maf from Lake Powell

normal year operations releases from Lake Powell = 8.25 million acre-feet(maf) /year

7.5 maf for Lower Basin 0.75 maf for Mexico

normal year operations releases from Lake Powell = 8.25 million acre-feet(maf) /year

7.5 maf for Lower Basin 0.75 maf for Mexico

Colorado River Compact measuring point at Lee Ferry X

Challenges

• Climate change

• Hydrologic Variability (paleo record)

• Forest Changes

• Energy future

Projected Central Arizona Project (CAP) Shortages Source: USBR shortage criteria EIS direct paleo hydrology modeling

www.ColoradoRiverDistrict.org

Three Policy objectivesThree Policy objectives

• Avoid unacceptable outcomes

• Maintain constructive relationships

• Adapt to a wider range of hydrologic conditions

• Avoid unacceptable outcomes

• Maintain constructive relationships

• Adapt to a wider range of hydrologic conditions