WASHINGTON —The Bureau of Reclamation is focused on working with partners across the Colorado River Basin to address the needs of communities and develop longer-term measures to respond to drought conditions. As part of those efforts, Reclamation recognizes the value of exploring new water sources as an important tool to improve drought resiliency in the Colorado River Basin.

“We are excited to work with stakeholders who are posing potential projects that can provide long-term solutions in the Lower Colorado River Basin,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Scott Cameron. “Projects like the Mojave Groundwater Bank are in early development and, if realized, have the potential to significantly expand our options.”

The groundwater bank is being proposed by the Fenner Valley Water Authority and Fenner Gap Mutual Water Company in conjunction with the Mojave Water Infrastructure Company. Parties are working on a memorandum of understanding on this project to explore opportunities for technical assistance that can result in better understanding of the project’s potential benefits to the Colorado River system.

This partnership illustrates the Department’s continued commitment to ensuring water security and promoting long-term sustainability in the Colorado River Basin, which supplies water to more than 40 million people, supports 5.5 million acres of farmland, 30 Tribal Nations, and two states in Mexico.

For example, last month, the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation marked significant progress for the continued short-term health of the Colorado River System with the extension of 18 agreements for additional conservation of Colorado River System water. This progress comes as the Department and Reclamation continue collaborating with basin states and Tribal Nations to develop Post-2026 Operating Guidelines—an essential framework for managing the Colorado River as current agreements expire. A Draft Environmental Impact Statement is expected by the end of the year.