Crisis on the Colorado River could deepen as soon as July experts say

Green algae and water stains are seen along a Colorado River canyon wall in Page, Ariz. © Joshua Lott/The Washington Post

Revelation 16:9 “They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory.”

Important Takeaways:

  • Officials fear ‘complete doomsday scenario’ for drought-stricken Colorado River
  • The first sign of serious trouble for the drought-stricken American Southwest could be a whirlpool.
  • The normally placid Lake Powell, the nation’s second-largest reservoir, could suddenly transform into something resembling a funnel, with water circling the openings, the dam’s operators say.
  • If that happens, the massive turbines that generate electricity for 4.5 million people would have to shut down or risk destruction from air bubbles.
  • Such an outcome — known as a “minimum power pool” — was once unfathomable here. Now, the federal government projects that day could come as soon as July.
  • As the water has receded, so has the ability to produce power at Glen Canyon, as less pressure from the lake pushes the turbines. The dam already generates about 40 percent less power than what has been committed to customers.
  • These customers would be responsible for buying power on the open market in the event Glen Canyon could not generate
  • The standard rate paid for Glen Canyon’s low-cost power is $30 per megawatt hour. On the open market, these customers last summer faced prices as high as $1,000 per megawatt hour

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