Western States Unite to Protect Water Rights
In a move that shows states can work together to solve problems without federal overreach, Nevada has joined with Arizona and California to urge the Trump administration to address critical infrastructure problems at Glen Canyon Dam – a key facility that controls Colorado River water flowing to our communities.
Why This Matters to Conservatives
The letter sent by Nevada’s Colorado River Commissioner John Entsminger, along with his counterparts from California and Arizona, offers a powerful example of state leadership on water issues. Rather than waiting for federal bureaucrats to impose solutions, western states are taking the initiative to protect their water rights.
“It’s a better situation to have the dam actually function without tripping us up and forcing massive reductions,” said JB Hamby, California’s Colorado River commissioner.
The Problem with the Dam
The dam has a serious design flaw. If water levels drop too low in Lake Powell, water can only be released through four 8-foot-wide steel tubes. These tubes are now damaged, which means Nevada might get a lot less water than we’re legally entitled to during drought times.
Think of it like a car with a gas tank that stops working when it’s half empty. You wouldn’t keep filling it up or stop driving. You’d fix the car!
Big Government vs. Common Sense Solutions
The Biden administration’s approach has been to protect Lake Powell by reducing water releases rather than fixing the dam’s infrastructure. This hurts Nevada farmers, businesses, and families who depend on this water.
The three states’ letter points out that this approach is “shortsighted” and harmful to western communities by “slashing the water available to our farmers, communities, and economies.”
Critics argue that the federal government is more focused on controlling water allocation than on addressing the real infrastructure problems that threaten water delivery.
What Nevada Wants: Fix the Dam
Nevada and its neighbors are proposing straightforward engineering fixes to the dam, rather than having federal agencies impose water cuts that harm western economies.
The solution could be as simple as “some combination of straightforward engineering fixes, moving water to Lake Powell from upstream reservoirs when necessary, and temporary reductions in upper basin use,” according to the three states’ representatives.
Legal Rights at Stake
This isn’t just about infrastructure. The 1922 Colorado River Compact requires the upper basin states to deliver an annual average of 7.5 million acre-feet to California, Arizona, and Nevada. If the dam can’t release enough water, those legal rights are threatened.
The letter mentions a potential “compact call” 23 times – a legal action that would require upper basin states to cut their water usage to ensure Nevada gets its share.
Looking Ahead: What Might Happen
If the Trump administration follows the states’ recommendations, we could see:
- Engineering studies for fixing the bypass tubes at Glen Canyon Dam
- A more collaborative approach to managing the Colorado River
- Protection of Nevada’s legal water rights
- Less federal control over western water decisions
The Cost of Inaction
If nothing is done to fix Glen Canyon Dam, Nevada could face severe water shortages in the coming years.
These shortages would hit our rural communities the hardest, affecting farmers, ranchers, and small businesses that form the backbone of our state economy. Water rates could increase for everyday Nevadans, while economic growth might slow in areas dependent on reliable water supplies.
This isn’t just about protecting our legal right to water – it’s about protecting Nevada families and their livelihoods from unnecessary hardship caused by fixable infrastructure problems.
Remember that water issues in the West are best solved by westerners, not by federal bureaucrats in Washington.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
