Aging dams, changing climate complicate water outlook

Bureau of Reclamation head puts positive spin

Mitch Lies
Capital Press

December 14, 2007


HOOD RIVER , Ore. - Climate change is combining with population growth to pinch the nation's shrinking water supply, according to Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Robert Johnson.

Added to those concerns, Johnson said, the bureau is facing concerns over aging water storage infrastructure and issues with endangered species as it heads into 2008.

"We have over 400 dams, and 75 percent of them are over 50 years old," he said.

Johnson spoke Nov. 28 at the Oregon Water Resources Congress' annual meeting in Hood River .

He said federal officials are upgrading the aging dams and working with state and local officials to deal with endangered species and other issues.

"In almost every Western river basin, we are dealing with endangered species issues," he said.

He said not to expect any new water storage structures in the West any time in the near future.

"I don't think the bureau is going to get big time into building a lot of new infrastructure," he said, "but I think that's something that as you look at the overall water picture that is something that needs to be considered."

In many cases, such as in the Colorado River Basin , which has 15 million acre feet of annual flow and 60 million acre feet of storage, storage capacity already is capped, he said.

"Building more storage isn't going to solve our problems there," he said. "Water management is going to solve our problem."

In Los Angeles , Johnson said, officials plan to meet all future water needs through re-use, conservation and desalinization projects, he said.

"They're doing a very effective job," he said.

But, he said, significant population growth there and elsewhere in the West is threatening the ability to meet future water needs under current projections.

"Everywhere you turn in the Western United States , we're seeing very significant population growth and urbanization," Johnson said. "When you combine that with the fact that we've had drought and the fact that we don't know what the future holds as it relates to climate change, we have what I've heard some people call the potential for a perfect storm."

Johnson was in town to address the congress and to award six grants to irrigation districts for infrastructure improvements. He ended his presentation on a positive note, saying he believes solutions are available for the many issues the bureau is encountering.

"I have every confidence that even as dire as that situation sounds, that there are solutions out there - that necessity is the mother of invention and that we will find solutions to those problems," he said.


Staff writer Mitch Lies is based in Salem . E-mail: mlies@capitalpress.com.  

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