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.
- Bill Number
- S. 3743
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Water Resources Development
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-10: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T12:29:40Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill (S. 3743) directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study on installing a selective water withdrawal system at Glen Canyon Dam. The goal is to improve hydropower generation—electricity produced from water flow—by releasing cold water more efficiently, while also stopping the spread of invasive species (non-native plants or animals that harm ecosystems) into the river. The study must align with existing management plans for the Colorado River from 2016 and 2024.
Key Provisions
- Study Requirements: The Secretary, through the Bureau of Reclamation (a federal agency managing water resources), must perform the study, including computer models of water flow (hydrological modeling). It involves consulting the Secretary of Energy and power contractors for the Colorado River Storage Project (a federal program for water storage and power in the western U.S.).
- Next Steps if Feasible: If the study finds a system option workable under federal water laws (reclamation laws), and power contractors agree, the Secretary can start the legal approvals and building process.
- Timeline: The study must be completed within 18 months of the bill becoming law.
- Funding: Costs come from federal appropriated funds (money approved by Congress). These funds are nonreimbursable (no repayment required) and nonreturnable to the U.S. Treasury. Within 90 days of enactment, the Secretary must identify available funding sources in consultation with others.
- Limitations: The bill does not change any Colorado River reservoir operation rules for Lake Powell and Lake Mead after 2026.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This legislation introduces a new mandate for a specific feasibility study but does not alter broader federal water management laws. It builds directly on the 2016 and 2024 Long-Term Experimental and Management Plans for the Colorado River, which guide dam operations, without overriding them.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of the Interior and Bureau of Reclamation will need to allocate resources for the study and potential construction, potentially improving water and energy management in the Colorado River Basin (covering seven U.S. states and parts of Mexico).
- On Citizens: Could enhance reliable hydropower for electricity in the Southwest, reducing costs for power users, while protecting river ecosystems from invasive species, benefiting recreation, fishing, and water quality for communities downstream.
- On International Relations: May indirectly support U.S. commitments under the 1944 treaty with Mexico for Colorado River water sharing by improving sustainable dam operations, though no direct changes to treaty obligations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Department of the Interior (including Bureau of Reclamation), Department of Energy.
- Power Contractors: Entities involved in the Colorado River Storage Project, who generate and distribute hydropower and must approve any construction.
- Environmental and Local Groups: States like Utah, Arizona, and Colorado; tribal nations along the river; environmental organizations focused on invasive species control and water conservation.
- Broader Public: Residents and businesses relying on Colorado River water for drinking, agriculture, and energy in the arid Southwest.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Ensures compliance with reclamation laws (federal rules for water projects) and environmental impact assessments, potentially streamlining future dam modifications without new lawsuits if feasibility is confirmed.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over federal lands and interstate waters under the Commerce Clause, promoting efficient use of public resources.
- Political: Focuses on balancing energy production with environmental protection in a water-scarce region, which could influence ongoing debates over Colorado River allocations amid climate change, but remains neutral on partisan issues.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-10: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 2026-03-17: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
- 2026-01-29: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2026-01-29: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- 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. — issued 2026-01-29 — PDF (3 pages)