- A new bill seeks to restore hydropower generation at Glen Canyon Dam while balancing conservation efforts.
- A funding freeze on water conservation projects threatens progress in stabilizing the Colorado River Basin.
- National Park Service layoffs could impact Glen Canyon and other protected areas.
- Legislative efforts are underway to revise protections for national monuments and environmental regulations.
Monday, March 10, 2025 — Two political battles are shaping the future of the Colorado River Basin, one concerning hydropower generation at Glen Canyon Dam and the other focused on water conservation funding. At the heart of these disputes are energy costs, environmental protections, and the stability of the river system that serves millions of people across the western United States.
Senators Mike Lee and John Curtis, both from Utah, introduced the Basin Fund Preservation Act
, a bill aimed at reversing restrictions on hydropower generation at Glen Canyon Dam. The Biden administration’s decision last year to limit power generation at the dam was based on environmental concerns, particularly to protect endangered species. However, the reduction in hydropower has led to increased energy costs for millions of people across multiple states.
Lee criticized the decision, stating, “People in Utah and across the West depend on the Glen Canyon Dam for stable, low-cost electricity. Last year, the Biden administration recklessly limited hydropower generation at this site and increased energy costs for millions of people in the surrounding areas.”
Curtis echoed the concerns, emphasizing the dam’s role in energy reliability. “We cannot allow bureaucratic decisions to undermine that stability. This bill ensures that we address environmental concerns while also protecting the hydropower that so many families and businesses depend on.”
The bill has received support from several energy groups, including the Utah Municipal Power Agency and the Colorado River Energy Distributors Association, who argue that preserving hydropower is essential for economic stability and energy security in the region.
Water Conservation Funding Halted.
Meanwhile, a separate policy decision is putting water conservation efforts in jeopardy. A Trump administration executive order froze $4 billion in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, which was earmarked for the Lower Colorado River System Conservation and Efficiency Program. The program has played a key role in stabilizing the Colorado River by increasing water conservation, with direct impacts on Lake Mead’s water levels.
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and a group of Democratic senators are calling for the funding freeze to be lifted, warning that without it, conservation efforts will suffer. “This Program has been instrumental in increasing water conservation, improving efficiency, and preventing the Colorado River system’s reservoirs from reaching dangerously low levels that threaten water deliveries and power production,” the senators wrote in a letter to the Department of the Interior.
The funding freeze could impact the ability of Lower Basin states to meet their conservation commitments. Last year, a multi-state agreement set a goal of conserving 3 million acre-feet of water to prevent Lake Mead and Lake Powell from dropping to critically low levels. The program had already contributed 1.2 million acre-feet to the lake and was expected to add more this year. With projections of a dry year ahead, lawmakers warn that conservation efforts must continue uninterrupted.
National Park Service Layoffs and Environmental Concerns.
In addition to the hydropower and conservation funding disputes, environmental protections in the Colorado River Basin face further challenges. A sweeping federal workforce reduction has resulted in significant layoffs at the National Park Service (NPS), including 12 employees at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The Glen Canyon Institute reports that loss of staff could impact critical services such as emergency response, wastewater treatment, and park maintenance.
At the same time, national monuments in the region are once again under scrutiny. Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, which were reduced in size during Trump’s first term and later restored by the Biden administration, may be targeted for reductions again. A secretarial order issued by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has begun the process of reviewing national monuments for potential revisions, with an emphasis on opening lands to drilling and mining.
Furthermore, legislation introduced by Senator Mike Lee and Congresswoman Celeste Malloy aims to repeal the Antiquities Act of 1906, which allows presidents to designate national monuments. According to the Institute, if successful, this move could limit the federal government’s ability to protect large areas of public land in the future.
Future of the Colorado River.
These ongoing legislative and executive decisions will have lasting consequences for the Colorado River Basin, affecting everything from energy costs to conservation efforts and land protections. As political debates continue, stakeholders in the West—including municipalities, environmental groups, and energy providers—will be watching closely to see how these issues unfold.
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Image:Â Licensed photo of Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell via Envato.
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