Lower Colorado Basin | Bureau of Reclamation

Department of the Interior and California Water Leaders Assembled Dec. 16, 2022, to Formally Sign the Salton Sea Agreement

Department of the Interior and water leaders from the California Natural Resources Agency, Imperial Irrigation District (IID) and Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD), assembled December 16, 2022, to formally sign the Salton Sea Agreement.

Under the agreement, Reclamation will provide $22 million in new funding through Inflation Reduction Act in 2023 to implement projects at the Sea, support staffing at the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indian Tribe, and conduct scientific research and management that contributes to project implementation. Read More →

Inflation Reduction Act Funds Landmark Agreements to Accelerate Salton Sea Restoration

The Department of the Interior announces a historic agreement funded by the Inflation Reduction Act that will mitigate impacts from the worsening drought crisis impacting the Salton Sea in Southern California. Read More →
Reclamation welcomes public input on development of future Colorado River operations during historic drought

Federal Register notice seeks comment on meaningful participation ideas and operational strategies to consider when updating key reservoir and water management decisions and agreements Read More →
Reclamation announces 2022 operating conditions for Lake Powell and Lake Mead

The Bureau of Reclamation today released the Colorado River Basin August 2021 24-Month Study. This month’s study projections are used to set annual operations for Lake Powell and Lake Mead in 2022. Releases from these massive reservoirs are determined by anticipated reservoir elevations Read More →
Hoover Dam reopens tours to visitors

The Bureau of Reclamation announced today that it is reopening tours of Hoover Dam at 50% capacity. Until further notice, a limited number of tickets will be sold each day for Powerplant Tours, Dam Tours, and Visitor Center Exhibits. All tickets will be sold in the Visitor Center on a first-come, first-serve basis. Read More →
Hoover Dam visitor center remodel and tour elevator upgrades completed

Hoover Dam has completed the Visitor Center theater level renovation and elevator upgrade projects. We are again offering full Powerplant and Dam Tours. Guests may purchase tickets for Visitor Center Exhibit Center and Power Plant tour tickets in person or on-line. Dam tour tickets are available in-person only on a first-come first-served basis. Major credit cards and cash are accepted. We appreciate all our guests and thank you for your patience while we completed these necessary upgrades. Read More →
Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program
The Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program (LCR MSCP) was created to balance the use of the Colorado River water resources with the conservation of native species and their habitats. The program works toward the recovery of species currently listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). It also reduces the likelihood of additional species listings. The program area extends over 400 miles of the lower Colorado River from Lake Mead to the southernmost border with Mexico, and includes lakes Mead, Mohave, and Havasu, as well as the historic 100-year floodplain along the main stem of the lower Colorado River. Read More →
Lower Colorado River Operations
The Lower Colorado River Operations website provides data such as current conditions, projected operations, historical data, ongoing programs and activities, supply, accounting and contracting and annual operating plans. Read More →

Projects & Places

Recreation & Public Use

Reclamation Land Use

The public may apply to use Reclamation land, facilities, and waterbodies, and may engage in the use only after proper authorization is received from Reclamation. Use authorizations are not required for permitted public recreational use of recreation areas and facilities open to the public. Read More →

Reclamation Recreation Website

Reclamation projects have created a variety of recreation opportunities on the rivers downstream from the dams, including world class whitewater rafting and fishing opportunities. Read More →

Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov helps you discover and book trips at Reclamation facilities and at all of America's public places. Read More →

Reclamation Water Information System

RWIS makes water and related data available for easy download and use. Visit the RWIS web site.

Special Notice

The Lower Colorado Basin - Interior Region 8's Statements of Project Construction Cost and Repayment (SPCCR) presenting the relationship between project cost and repayment are available upon request. Please contact Matt Stemmer at (702) 293-8223 or mjstemmer@usbr.gov to obtain a copy of a project SPCCR.

Last Update 8/18/23