1. Colorado River Commission of Nevada (CRCNV)
The Colorado River:
Collaboration at Work
Jayne Harkins, P.E.
Executive Director
August 18, 2017

2. Presentation Outline CRCNV Overview Nevada Colorado River Water Use
Third Drinking Water Intake at Lake Mead
Purpose
Funding
Lower Basin Drought Contingency Plan
Overview
Contributions
Response
Questions
Colorado River reaching Sea of Cortez in May, 2014
(Peter McBride)
8/18/2017

3. CRCNV Overview
The CRCNV is an executive agency of the State of Nevada responsible for acquiring and managing Nevada's share of water and hydropower resources from the Colorado River.
Responsible for protecting the rights and interests to Nevada’s entitlement of water made available from the Colorado River.
Purchases hydropower from federal hydroelectric facilities on the Colorado River located at Hoover, Davis, Parker and Glen Canyon dams and allocates the hydropower for the greatest benefit to Nevada.
Strives to protect the water quality, and the aquatic and terrestrial integrity of the Colorado River Basin while ensuring the continued oper-ation of the Colorado River for the authorized beneficial purposes.
8/18/2017

4. Southern Nevada Water Use Facts
8/18/2017

5. Southern Nevada Water Use Facts
Nevada’s annual share of the Colorado River:
300,000 Acre Feet
8/18/2017

6. Third Drinking Water Intake at Lake Mead
Prior to 2016, Lake Mead had only two water intakes:
Both of these would become inactive at 1,000 foot water elevation
To continue to deliver water to Southern Nevada below 1,000 feet, a third water intake was constructed
Courtesy of the SNWA
8/18/2017

7. Third Drinking Water Intake at Lake Mead
The Third Water Intake:
Diverts water at Lake elevations below 1,000 feet
Minimizes water quality issues associated with drought conditions
Provides long-term protection of Southern Nevada’s drinking water source (Lake Mead)
The Third Drinking Water Intake is stainless steel –
96-feet high, 16-foot diameter structure
8/18/2017

8. Third Drinking Water Intake at Lake Mead
Funding was accomplished through the assessment of various charges to community residents:
Regional Connection charges
Sales Tax
Reliability surcharge
Fixed Capital Investment charge
8/18/2017

9. Water Budget at Lake Mead (measured in million acre feet – “maf*”)
Inflow = 9.0 maf*
(Dependent on operational decisions)
Outflow and consumptive use = -9.6
Arizona (2.8)
California (4.4)
Nevada (0.3)
Mexico (1.5)
Downstream loses (0.6)
Lake Mead evaporation losses = -0.6
Balance = -1.2
Given the lower basin consumptive use and evaporative losses, Lake Mead loses on average 4 feet a year with a 9.0 maf release from Lake Powell and 12+ feet when an 8.23 maf is released.
8/18/2017

10. Lower Basin Drought Response Activities
Through 2016, four conservation programs have resulted in about 1 maf of additional water in Lake Mead, equivalent to about 12 feet in elevation.
U.S. Intentionally Created Surplus (nearly 3 feet)
Mexican deferred water under IBWC Minute 319 (about 2.5 feet)
LB Drought MOU voluntary protection volumes (about 6 feet)
Pilot System Conservation Program (about 1 foot)
As of July 2017, planned conservation activities in 2017 are projected to result in another 540 kaf of additional water in Lake Mead, equivalent to about 6.5 feet in Lake Mead elevation.
8/18/2017

11. Lower Basin Drought Contingency Plan (DCP)
The Lower Basin DCP was developed to address the increasing variability and decline in the Colorado River flow volumes.
To avoid risk of temporary and prolonged interruptions in water service through 2026, the Lower Basin States (Arizona, California, and Nevada) agreed to take additional reductions in supplies above the 2007 Interim Guidelines.
Congressional authority may be required for implementation.
8/18/2017

12. Lower Basin DCP
Lower Basin Reductions under the Lower Basin Drought Contingency Plan (volumes in KAF)
Lake Mead Elevation (ft msl)
2007 Interim Guidelines Shortages
Voluntary Reductions
Combined Volumes
(2007 Interim Guidelines Shortages + Voluntary Reductions) AZ NV CA
Lower Basin States Total
1,090 - >1,075
192 8
200
1,075 - >1050
320 13
512 21
533
1,050 - >1,045
400 17
592 25
617
1,045 - >1,040
240 10
640 27
867
1,040 - >1,035
250
917
1,035 - >1,030
300
967
1, ,025
350
1,017
<1,025
480 20
720 30
1,100
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13. Summary
Lake Mead is declining due to drought and imbalances in supply and demand.
Current projections show the 2007 Interim Guidelines are not sufficient to address the declines.
Nevada and the other Lower Basin states have invested efforts to protect Lake Mead.
More action is needed and occurring to address continuing risks to Lake Mead.
8/18/2017

14. COLORADO RIVER COMMISSION OF NEVADA
JAYNE HARKINS, P.E.
Executive Director
(702)
COLORADO RIVER COMMISSION
OF NEVADA
555 EAST WASHINGTON AVE., Suite 3100
LAS VEGAS, NV 89101
CRCNV Website:
crc.nv.gov
8/18/2017