A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a feasibility study on a selective water withdrawal system at Glen Canyon Dam, and for other purposes.
Sponsored By: Senator Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced
Summary
A feasibility study for a selective water withdrawal system at Glen Canyon Dam would direct the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation to evaluate options that could improve cold-water hydropower releases while preventing invasive species from being drawn into the system.
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- Hydropower operators and customers: If a studied alternative is found feasible and Colorado River Storage Project power contractors agree, the Secretary may begin compliance and construction under reclamation laws, which could affect downstream power operations.
- River ecosystems and fisheries: The study specifically includes options to prevent entrainment of invasive species to protect native fish and habitat.
- Federal agencies and funding: The Secretary must finish the study within 18 months, identify funding sources within 90 days, and pay study costs from appropriated funds that are nonreimbursable and nonreturnable.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Study and potential Glen Canyon upgrades
This bill would direct the Interior Secretary to study a selective water withdrawal system at Glen Canyon Dam. The study would include hydrological modeling and aim to boost hydropower when releasing cold water and to prevent invasive fish from being entrained. The Secretary would have 18 months after enactment to finish the study. Federal appropriated funds would pay for the study and those funds would be nonreimbursable and nonreturnable. The Secretary would identify funding sources within 90 days, in consultation with the Energy Secretary and Colorado River Storage Project power contractors. If the Secretary finds an option feasible under reclamation laws and the power contractors agree, the Secretary would be able to begin compliance and construction of that option.
Keeps Lake Powell and Mead rules
This bill would say that nothing in this section changes the post-2026 Colorado River reservoir operations rules and strategies for Lake Powell and Lake Mead. The existing post-2026 rules that are in effect before, on, or after enactment would remain in place. This preserves current operational plans and prevents this section from altering them.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Lee, Mike [R-UT]
UT • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT]
UT • R
Sponsored 2/24/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov