Exploring the Conservation Pool Concept for the Colorado River

Negotiations among the seven Colorado River states—Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming—regarding the management of Lakes Mead and Powell have stalled, with current management rules set to expire this fall. The ongoing drought, which has persisted for two decades, has exacerbated the situation, leading to a decline in the river's average flow and significant water loss attributed to climate change. As a result, water experts are proposing a conservation program, known as a conservation pool, as a potential solution to manage the water supply for approximately 40 million people.

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The conservation pool program would involve water users, such as farmers, reducing their water consumption and storing the conserved water in Lakes Powell and Mead. This approach aims to create a more secure water supply while fostering cooperation between the Upper and Lower Basins. Kathryn Sorensen, director of research at Arizona State University’s Kyl Center for Water Policy, noted that while the concept holds promise, it requires further refinement to address existing challenges.

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Despite its potential, the conservation pool concept faces significant hurdles. Key questions remain regarding participation, control, compensation for conservation, and the logistics of tracking conserved water across state lines. The current legal framework, based on prior appropriation rights, complicates the incentive structure for conservation. For instance, if a farmer in Kremmling, Colorado, reduces their water use, the conserved water could flow downstream rather than being stored in a conservation pool.

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Opinions on the conservation pool idea vary among stakeholders. The Colorado River District emphasizes that any conservation program must protect Upper Basin states from forced water cuts and should be designed to minimize negative impacts on local economies. Conversely, environmental advocates argue that conserved water should benefit Colorado River ecosystems, particularly in the Grand Canyon, where altered water flows have affected native fish populations.

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The Department of the Interior has proposed multiple options for managing the Colorado River, with several incorporating conservation pools. However, the success of this initiative hinges on the cooperation of all basin states to establish new water-tracking systems and agree on compensation mechanisms for water conservation. Arizona's water negotiator, Tom Buschatzke, expressed optimism about pursuing the conservation pool concept, highlighting the need for innovative solutions beyond traditional water allocation methods.

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While the conservation pool concept presents a promising avenue for addressing the ongoing water crisis in the Colorado River Basin, its implementation will require careful planning and consensus among the seven states. As negotiations continue, stakeholders must navigate the complexities of water rights and management to develop a sustainable solution for the future.

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• “They hold great promise. They do incentivize conservation. They do create tremendous operational flexibility,” — Kathryn Sorensen, Director of Research, Arizona State University’s Kyl Center for Water Policy

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• “In our view, it offers really the only path forward that we can see that addresses the core challenge of risk each basin is facing, and provides a shared tool to manage uncertainty … in the years ahead,” — Stephen Roe Lewis, Governor, Gila River Indian Community

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• “Conservation pools are the way of the future for the Colorado River Basin,” — John Berggren, Regional Policy Manager, Western Resource Advocates

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• “The particulars of the program and potential pool would depend upon the operational framework and/or other components of a seven-state consensus,” — Becky Mitchell, Colorado’s Top Negotiator

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