• Salt River Project (SRP) reservoirs near capacity ahead of high-demand season thanks to active winters.
• SRP focuses on long-term water management and infrastructure for system resilience.
• Unlike the Colorado River, the Salt/Verde system is stable, mitigating drought risk.
• SRP is pursuing projects to further maximize water storage capacity.

May 2, 2024 — Water security is looking favorable in Arizona as the Salt River Project (SRP) announces its reservoirs are nearing capacity. After two productive winters, this local water provider is prepared for the upcoming high-demand season. SRP emphasizes its commitment to strategic planning to make the most of this bounty while still planning for inevitable future droughts.

SRP is a non-profit, community-focused utility. As a major electricity provider for Phoenix, they also manage a vast water delivery system. SRP supplies water to millions of Arizonans and oversees a complex network of reservoirs, canals, and wells across a 13,000-square-mile watershed.

“Wet periods like this allow us to bolster our storage, but we never stop planning for dry spells either,” emphasizes Tim Skarupa, senior manager of SRP Watershed Management. “We’re constantly working to ensure our infrastructure keeps our water system strong.”

The contrast between SRP’s reliable Salt and Verde River system and the troubled Colorado River highlights the benefits of proactive water management. SRP works on new storage projects for the Verde River and exploring creative ways to further utilize stored water.

Image Credit:

Roosevelt Dam and Reservoir via SRP’s news release.