FILE - In this July 28, 2014, file photo, lightning strikes over Lake Mead near Hoover Dam that impounds Colorado River water at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Arizona. The Bureau of Reclamation announced Tuesday that Utah won't have to reduce its water use from the Colorado River, at least for now. n(AP Photo/John Locher, File)
SALT LAKE CITY — The Bureau of Reclamation announced Tuesday that Utah won’t be required to cut its water use from the Colorado River. At least for now, anyways.
Two Lower Basin states and Mexico will see a reduction in their water use, according to the Bureau of Reclamation. Arizona will see a 21% reduction in its water use. Nevada will have its water use trimmed by 8% and Mexico will see a 7% decrease in its water use. The water reductions will begin in January.
Additionally, less water will be let out of the dams at Lake Mead and Lake Powell. This will be done in order to help keep them full.
However, Utah and other Upper Basin states are still required to conserve water from the Colorado River.
“We need to make sure that we can see additional conservation in all the states and all of the sectors,” said Tayna Truillo, assistant to the Secretary of the Interior. “And that includes the Upper Basin states as well.”
Bureau of Reclamation Camille Touton also announced Tuesday that water levels at Lake Mead and Lake Powell could come close to dropping below what is required to generate power by next year.
Mark Jones contributed to this article.
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