Colorado River management: Feds release draft long-term plans.

The Bureau of Reclamation released a 1,600-page draft environmental impact statement presenting five alternatives for post-2026 Colorado River operations, and a public comment period is scheduled for Jan. 16–Mar. 2, 2026.

The Bureau of Reclamation has published a 1,600-page draft environmental impact statement that lays out five alternative approaches for managing Lake Mead and Lake Powell after current guidelines expire in August 2026. The document is part of the National Environmental Policy Act review and comes as negotiations among the seven Colorado River states remain stalled. Reservoir levels are currently below two-thirds full and forecasts cited in the review expect 2027 inflow to be substantially below normal. The draft does not identify a preferred alternative and is intended to support continued discussion among federal and state officials. Key points: - The draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) presents five alternatives for post-2026 operations of Lake Mead (Hoover Dam) and Lake Powell (Glen Canyon Dam) and totals about 1,600 pages. - The draft does not name a preferred alternative; the Bureau of Reclamation said it seeks a consensus-based approach to support system stability. - Reservoirs are currently less than two-thirds full, and the document cites a projected 2027 inflow roughly 27% below normal, which could affect hydropower and downstream deliveries if dry conditions persist. - A compliance-oriented alternative is included that could be implemented in 2027 if states do not reach a seven-state agreement; under that alternative, some Lower Basin states would face reductions. - The public comment period runs Jan. 16–Mar. 2, 2026, and the agency plans virtual briefings on Jan. 29 and Feb. 10; states have been given until mid-February 2026 to reach a consensus for a possible summer agreement and October 2026 implementation. Summary: The draft EIS provides a formal federal framework for considering how to operate the river’s largest reservoirs after 2026 while the seven Basin states continue negotiations. The next steps are the NEPA public review process, including the Jan. 16–Mar. 2 comment period and scheduled virtual briefings, and efforts by the states to seek a consensus by mid-February 2026 for potential implementation in October 2026.