Tests seek to reap more river water
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Authorities plan experiments in the coming year aimed at getting more water out of the Colorado River, which provides drinking water for Arizona and six other Western states.
The tests, outlined by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in the river's annual operating plan, won't free up much water right away, nor will they end disputes among the seven states about how to deal with drought.
But officials believe the ideas could help avoid water shortages and help the states find ways to better manage the overworked river.
"Some of these things will be a big part of the future," said Larry Dozier, deputy general manager of the Central Arizona Project, a canal system that delivers Colorado River water to Phoenix and Tucson. "What we're seeing this year are just start-up programs, but if you don't start, you won't finish."
A draft of the plan was presented to representatives from the seven river states last week. It takes effect Sunday.
Most of the experiments are intended to reduce wasted water.
They include a three-month test of a desalination plant in Yuma, expansion of a pilot program that pays farmers not to plant crops and construction of a small reservoir near the river's end to catch unused water before it reaches Mexico.
A study several years ago found the United States was losing 500,000 acre-feet or more in some years to waste and flawed delivery procedures.
Changes to the system have reduced the losses in recent years, but as much as 100,000 acre-feet still flow into Mexico annually.
An acre-foot is 325,851 gallons, enough to serve a family of five for a year.
Any saved water could help protect Arizona from losses if a river shortage is declared.
Under the river's governing laws, Arizona must give up as much as half of its allocation before any other state is affected by shortages, part of a deal struck to win approval of the Central Arizona Project canal.
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