Presentation Explores Impact of Proposed Changes to Bartlett Dam
On February 19, WRRC and the Arizona Institute for Resilience Center for Climate Adaption Science & Solutions co-hosted a presentation by Audubon Southwest Senior Director for Policy Haley Paul, titled “Issues and Opportunities at Bartlett Dam: Exploring Impacts.” During the presentation, Paul described the work that Audubon Southwest is doing to assess environmental impacts of a proposed dam project, which could include loss of riparian habitat along the Verde River. This US Bureau of Reclamation project, currently in a feasibility study phase, is aimed at alleviating storage reduction in Bartlett reservoir caused by sediment accumulation.
Paul was joined by Salt River Project (SRP) Senior Engineer Olivia Galvan, who discussed details of the planning process. As a proponent of the project, SRP is conducting a feasibility study to provide Reclamation information on four proposed project alternatives. The alternatives being investigated include raising Bartlett Dam by 101.8 ft, raising the dam by 60.8 ft, dredging Barlett reservoir to remove accumulated sediment, and taking no action. SRP has been working alongside Audubon Southwest and others to determine the hydrologic, ecologic, and societal impacts of each alternative in order to find the most beneficial course of action.