This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Rock Springs, Wyo. • Prolonged drought on the Colorado River system has prompted Wyoming officials to begin planning for the possibility of drawing down water levels in Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
The Rock Springs Rocket-Miner reports that officials with the Wyoming State Engineer's Office plan to meet with Sweetwater County commissioners on March 18. They will discuss what could happen if drought conditions continue and it becomes necessary to change reservoir operations.
Wyoming State Engineering Office Interstate Streams Engineer John Shields says the state wants the public to be aware changes that could be made to Flaming Gorge if the current drought continues.
The Flaming Gorge Reservoir is at about 75 percent capacity. However, things are drier farther downstream on the Colorado River system with major reservoirs only about half full.