Water Agencies to Announce 500+ Plan, Investment in Conservation on Colorado River

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Metropolitan Water District of Southern California:

WHAT:	Pending approval by all partners today, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Arizona Department of Water Resources, Central Arizona Project, the Colorado River Commission of Nevada, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and Southern Nevada Water Authority will host a media availability to announce their latest collaboration to boost Lake Mead’s level with investments in conservation programs and projects in the Lower Colorado River Basin.
WHEN:	Wednesday, Dec. 15, 1 p.m., during the Colorado River Water Users Association’s annual conference
WHERE:	Caesar’s Palace, Palace III Ballroom, 3570 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas.
PARTICIPANTS:
	U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
	Arizona Department of Water Resources
	Central Arizona Project
	Colorado River Commission of Nevada
	Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
	Southern Nevada Water Authority

BACKGROUND: After decades of drought on the Colorado River, exacerbated by last year’s dismal run-off, water storage in the river system’s largest reservoir, Lake Mead, has reached record low levels this year. Despite contributions to the reservoir made through the Drought Contingency Plan, modeling indicates the reservoir could reach elevation 1,030 feet in the next two years, triggering a DCP provision requiring additional action.

The Lower Basin states have responded with the 500+ Plan, which aims to add 500,000 acre-feet of additional water to Lake Mead in both 2022 and 2023 through projects and programs to conserve water across the Lower Colorado River Basin. The additional water – enough water to serve about 1.5 million households a year – would add about 16 feet total to the reservoir’s level.