Utah and Wyoming leaders met recently to negotiate the future of the Colorado River Basin, focusing on the long-term management of critical resources such as Lake Powell and Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
Key officials attend negotiations
The meeting included Utah Governor Spencer Cox and U.S. Senators John Curtis and Mike Lee, alongside Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon and U.S. Senators John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis. Senator Curtis stated that Upper Basin states share a strong interest in ensuring the river's long-term sustainability through bipartisan solutions.
Protecting water rights and laws
Senator Lee emphasized the importance of respecting existing law as the Department of the Interior develops a post-2026 operating plan, noting that any solution must protect the ability of states to use their entitled water. Governor Cox expressed a commitment to a seven-basin-state solution intended to avoid costly litigation.
Great Salt Lake management plan
In a separate effort to manage regional water, the Utah Division of Water Resources is advancing Stage Two of the Great Salt Lake Basin Integrated Plan (GSLBIP). The initiative aims to create a resilient water supply for the lake and its watershed by combining existing management tools into one comprehensive system to better understand current supply and demand.
Project timeline and phases
This second stage of the project, which is scheduled to conclude in late 2027, involves four phases. It follows the completion of a Work Plan in winter 2024.
Addressing declining lake water levels
The GSLBIP was prompted by declining water levels in the Great Salt Lake, which pose risks to the region's environment and economy. The plan follows legislative directives from HB 429, passed during the 2022 Utah legislative session, and recent state initiatives like the Great Salt Lake Strike Team Policy Assessment.
Analyzing future water resource strategies
The ongoing project will include a strategy trade-off analysis within each river basin to assess the costs and benefits of different water resource goals. The Division of Water Resources is currently seeking stakeholder input to help identify shared priorities for upcoming scenario-building workshops.
