A hugely significant water and power infrastructure project in the works in Utah is now only a water project.
Brian Maffly reports on changes on a major water infrastructure to deliver water from the Colorado River to a quickly growing part of Utah: "Utah’s proposed Lake Powell pipeline will cost less to build and be easier to permit under a decision announced Wednesday to cut major hydropower components from the controversial project that would move 86,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water to St. George."
"The division’s new plan for the 142-mile pipeline excludes two reservoirs, proposed for the top and bottom of Hurricane Cliffs, that were to help generate hydropower at times of peak demand. The reservoirs’ removal is expected to lower the tab by about $100 million," according to Maffly.
Despite the savings for the upfront cost of the project, the changes have a longer-term consequence of ending a source of revenue from the now cancelled power generation capacity of the project.
Planetizen picked up in-depth coverage of the pipeline and its implications for the fast-growing city of St. George, Utah, in 2018.
FULL STORY: In major move, Utah pulls most hydropower out of Lake Powell pipeline
The Nation’s Fastest Growing Town Needs More Water
Cheap water flows freely to the golf courses of St. George, Utah, but all the new residents mean it’s going to have to increase supply or reduce demand—or both.
Environmental Impact Statement for Lake Powell-to-Utah Water Pipeline Released
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Calls Grow for ‘One-Dam Solution’ on Colorado River
California growers and others in the river’s Lower Basin want the federal government to consider draining Lake Powell to conserve more water downstream.
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