Commissioners approve drought response plan and accounting report as Upper Basin prioritizes supply-based management and River system stability
SALT LAKE CITY — April 22, 2026 — The Upper Colorado River Commission (UCRC) convened its 316th Special Meeting on April 21, bringing together the Commissioners from Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming to address the real and ongoing water shortages suffered across the Upper Basin amid worsening hydrologic conditions. Shortages impact Upper Basin communities, agriculture, Tribes, national security installations and vital industries, as well as operations at Lake Powell.
Commissioners emphasized the dire situation at Lake Powell, which is the result not only of the dry hydrology in 2026 but also of a decades-long imbalance between releases and inflows. They urged that future operations at Lake Powell must reflect the available supply.
Read the full press statement here.