The Bureau of Reclamation is planning additional water releases from Flaming Gorge Reservoir as part of the 2026 Draft Drought Response Operations Plan. This action follows worsening hydrologic conditions, including the poorest snowpack on record and low reservoir levels.
The Drought Response Operations Agreement (DROA) is a component of the 2019 Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan for the Upper Colorado River Basin. The agreement aims to reduce the risk of Lake Powell falling below critical elevations.
Reclamation implemented drought response operations under this agreement in 2021 and 2022. To support Lake Powell, the agency plans to release additional water from Flaming Gorge Reservoir, which is one of the upstream initial units of the Colorado River Storage Project Act.
Drought response releases from Flaming Gorge began on April 23, 2026.
The 2026 Draft Drought Response Operations Plan was developed by the Upper Division States and the Bureau of Reclamation, alongside the Upper Colorado River Commission. This process includes participation from federal agencies and Upper Basin Tribes, as well as consultation with Lower Division States, water users, and stakeholders.
The DROA establishes a target elevation of 3,525 feet for Lake Powell to maintain a 35-foot buffer above the minimum power pool of 3,490 feet. Any water released from upstream Initial Units must be recovered in that same unit according to the agreement and applicable plans.
