Officials will not release cool water from a Colorado River reservoir to protect threatened fish

On Thursday, federal officials announced that they will not release cool water this year from a major Colorado River reservoir. The decision was made to avoid placing additional strain on already struggling hydropower production in the region.

While withholding the water protects the energy grid, it means foregoing a measure that would have protected a threatened native fish species residing downstream. The balancing act highlights the ongoing resource management challenges facing the Colorado River basin amid competing demands for water, energy, and conservation.