Lake Powell Pipeline
The Lake Powell Pipeline would draw 100,000 acre-feet of water annually from the Colorado River at Lake Powell and pump it through a 179-mile long pipeline to arid Washington, Kane, and Iron counties in southwest Utah. This is a huge amount of water — about the amount used by Salt Lake City in an entire year and is not needed for the existing regional population of 178,000. The pipeline is a scheme by developers to fuel uncontrolled growth, allowing a future population as high as 1 million — more than a 500 percent increase from today.
The proposed Lake Powell Pipeline would be environmentally destructive and extravagantly expensive. The pipeline would degrade public lands with outstanding wilderness qualities, further stress the overdrawn Colorado River, and undermine efforts to restore Glen Canyon and a free-flowing Colorado River.
Based on scientific projections of continued drought, global climate change, and rising demand, there may not even be enough water to feed the pipeline if it is constructed. At more than $1 billion (not counting interest on bonds, which could triple the cost), the pipeline would be the most expensive Utah public works project ever undertaken without major federal funding. Local residents would face huge increases in taxes and fees, and all Utahns would be taxed to subsidize the project. Boosters of the pipeline are banking on a skyrocketing population of taxpayers to pay off the colossal debt the project will create.
There are far better alternatives to the destructive and expensive Lake Powell Pipeline. For example, Washington County now uses 330 gallons per person per day (gpd) — one of the highest rates in the nation. In comparison, the national average is 155 gpd and arid cities such as Phoenix, Albuquerque, and Tucson use only only 144 gpd, 135 gpd, and 107 gpd, respectively. There is little question that Washington County could dramatically reduce its water use through increased water efficiency and conservation programs.
Glen Canyon Institute and our allies are committed to fighting this misguided proposal until it is defeated. There will be opportunities for citizens to speak out against the pipeline project in the months ahead. GCI will keep our members informed of our progress and let them know what they can do to help.
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Latest News
Utah House Bill 174, which would have earmarked 15 percent of future sales tax growth to fund the destructive Lake Powell Pipeline (LPP), failed to make it out of the House as legislature closed last week.
The proposed LPP would divert water from the already over-allocated Colorado River to fuel wasteful growth and development in southwest Utah. The project would have resulted in huge statewide taxpayer costs, caused major environmental damage, and drained funds from other urgent public programs.
Utah conservationists argued that Washington County - the most wasteful water user in the nation and the primary beneficiary of the project - should take meaningful steps toward water conservation before asking for statewide help to build a $1.2 billion pipeline.
Great Basin Water Network representative Steve Ericksen said, "That might be our signature win on environmental issues this session." However, project boosters will no doubt be back to revive the pipeline earmark bill in the next legislative session.
Glen Canyon Institute and our allies will continue to fight the ill-conceived Lake Powell Pipeline, and efforts to divert public tax funds to subsidize it. We will keep you informed of future action on this issue. Thanks to everyone who attended hearings or contacted their legislators to oppose LB 174 and the Lake Powell Pipeline. Your efforts made a big difference!