Current Focus

The Colorado River is a critical resource in the West. Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming depend on the river for water, hydropower production, recreation, fish and wildlife habitat, and other benefits. Between 35 and 40 million people rely on the river to provide some if not all their water needs.

Our Colorado River Basin page is where you can find the latest news and information about Reclamation's work in managing the Colorado River. Current efforts include: Post 2026 Colorado River Operations; System Conservation and Efficiency Programs; other environmental compliance works; and the related public involvement interfaces. We encourage everyone to visit and see how we are managing one of our nation's greatest resources.

Upper Colorado News & Highlights

  • News Release – July 22, 2026

    Reclamation photo of Vallecito Dam spillway and radial gatesExploratory Drilling to begin at Vallecito Dam

    DURANGO, Colo.  — Exploratory work will soon be conducted at Vallecito Dam, located on the Pine River 18 miles northeast of Durango, to help evaluate and guide future rehabilitation efforts to be completed under the Bureau of Reclamation's Safety of Dams Program. Read More »

  • News Release – June 10, 2026

    Horizontal Directional Drill pullback method being utilized on Reach 4B near Shiprock, New Mexico on the Navajo Gallup Water Supply ProjectReclamation moves the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project forward with contract award for challenging underground crossings

    WASHINGTON — The Bureau of Reclamation announced a $75.5 million contract award to Flatland Energy Services LLC for construction of the Block 2-3 Pipeline Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) components for the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project in northwest New Mexico. Read More »

  • News Release – May 26, 2026

    Glen Canyon forebay Advancing Water Quality Through Innovation
    Upper Colorado Basin Region’s Adaptive Management and Water Quality Division projects plan to make an impact

    The UCB Adaptive Management and Water Quality Division is having a busy spring, and multiple recently funded research projects focused on water quality management, forecasting, groundwater research, and fish species management in the Colorado River Basin area will certainly keep the work flowing strong.“ We’re extremely pleased to see so many innovative projects receive funding this year because the future management of the Colorado River will depend on our ability to continuously adapt, improve our understanding of the system, and make informed decisions using high-quality data,” said Bill Stewart, acting manager of the Upper Colorado Basin Region Adaptive Management and Water Quality Division. “These projects represent important investments in new technology, forecasting, monitoring, and research that will help us better respond to changing conditions across the Basin while supporting reliable water management for the future.” Read More »

  • News Release – May 18, 2026

    Aerial view of Navajo DamNavajo Dam road reopens to two-way traffic prior to busy summer travel season

    DURANGO, COLO. –New Mexico Highway 511 over Navajo Dam, located about 45 miles east of Farmington, New Mexico, is re-open to two-way traffic ahead of schedule and before peak recreation season begins. Read More »

  • News Release – May 5, 2026

    Road closure over El Vado Dam planned for this summer

    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.- The road across the top of El Vado Dam in northern New Mexico will be closed this summer as part of the Bureau of Reclamation’s ongoing dam rehabilitation efforts.

    New Mexico State Road (NM) 112 at El Vado Dam near Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico will be closed for 14 weeks beginning May 27 through Sept. 4 as safety investigations are conducted into the dam’s foundation. Read More »

    • More Stories & Media  »

Explore

Projects & Places

Recreation & Public Use

Reservoir Information

Colorado River Storage Project Facilities
Blue Mesa: Status | HydroData
Morrow Point: Status | HydroData
Crystal: Status | HydroData
Flaming Gorge: Status | HydroData
Fontenelle: Status | HydroData
Lake Powell: Status | HydroData
Navajo: Status | HydroData

Water Information

Related Links

Water and Power for our Future cover image

We here in the Upper Colorado Region are proud of the work we are doing bringing water and power to the west. Our new publication Water and Power for our Future takes a look at some of the accomplishments and work being done throughout the region... Read More 

Recreation.gov screen shot Recreation.gov

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

RISE graphic Reclamation Information Sharing Environment

RISE is a Reclamation open data system for viewing, accessing, and downloading Reclamation's water and water-related data. Visit the RISE web site 

Statement of Project Construction Cost and Repayment Statements Are Available from Reclamation

Reclamation has been accumulating construction cost and repayment data since the first reimbursable project began and created the Statement of Project Construction Cost and Repayment (SPCCR) to capture cost and repayment data by project, for internal use only. However, these are now available by request. Read More 

To request the statement for your project, contact our Finance Officer, Tami Miller at (801) 524-3723 or tamiller@usbr.gov

Last Updated: 7/24/26