Commissioners warn Flaming Gorge drought release could force curtailments, plan outreach to Rep. Kennedy

Unidentified Speaker 3 led commissioners through an extended discussion about Colorado River operations and the possibility that federal or interstate drought-operations releases could include "another 500,000 acre-feet" of water.

"The biggest thing that will likely happen this summer is that they'll do another drill of the drought operations release of another 500,000 acre-feet of water," Unidentified Speaker 3 said, warning that such an action could prompt curtailments that would take water out of local ditches and directly affect ranchers and farmers.

Commissioners and staff discussed the trade-offs in system operations, including efforts to keep levels higher in some reservoirs at the expense of others. Speakers said Utah and Upper Basin states have raised concerns about operating Flaming Gorge the same way Lake Powell has been managed, because of downstream and local economic impacts.

One exchange during the meeting illustrated differing recollections about past impacts: Unidentified Speaker 6 said it took "almost two years" for the local lake to bounce back after prior releases; Unidentified Speaker 3 disputed that recollection. Commissioners noted uncertainty about timing and flows and said lawsuits and political negotiations remain likely responses at the interstate and federal level.

Unidentified Speaker 3 also told colleagues that Rep. Kennedy will be available for a short window Thursday at the Capitol in Salt Lake and offered to include commissioners by phone to discuss concerns and request support. The commission agreed to coordinate outreach and to notify residents when firm operational decisions or schedules are released.

No formal action or vote on a position was taken at the Feb. 17 meeting; commissioners instructed staff to monitor developments and follow up with additional information and potential next steps.