January 29, 2026
Mr. Lee (for himself and Mr. Curtis) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
September 17, 2026
Reported by Mr. Lee, with an amendment
Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic
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.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Glen Canyon Dam selective water withdrawal system feasibility study
(a) In general
The Secretary of the Interior (acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation) (referred to in this section as the Secretary
), in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and Colorado River Storage Project power contractors, shall carry out a feasibility study (including all hydrological modeling) on a selective water withdrawal system at Glen Canyon Dam to optimize hydropower generation when releasing cold water from Glen Canyon Dam, while also preventing entrainment of invasive species, pursuant to the 2016 Long-Term Experimental and Management Plan Record of Decision and the 2024 Long-Term Experimental and Management Plan Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision.
(b) Feasibility determination
If the Secretary determines that a selective water withdrawal system alternative studied under subsection (a) is feasible under the reclamation laws, the Secretary may, if the Colorado River Storage Project power contractors concur with the alternative chosen, begin compliance with, and construction of, the chosen alternative.
(c) Feasibility study deadline
The Secretary shall complete the feasibility study required under subsection (a) not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act.
(d) Funding
(1) In general
The costs of the feasibility study under subsection (a) shall be paid for by the Secretary using appropriated funds.
(2) Treatment of funds
Any Federal funds made available to carry out this section shall be nonreimbursable and nonreturnable to the United States.
(3) Identification of funds
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and Colorado River Storage Project power contractors, shall identify sources of available funds to carry out this section.
(e) Effect
Nothing in this section affects the post-2026 Colorado River reservoir operations guidelines and strategies for Lake Powell and Lake Mead in effect before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act.
Section 1. Glen Canyon Dam feasibility study
(a) In general
The Secretary of the Interior (acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation) (referred to in this section as the Secretary
), in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Director of the United States Geological Survey, the Colorado River Basin States, and Colorado River Storage Project power contractors, shall carry out a feasibility study (including all hydrological modeling) to analyze alternatives (including infrastructure upgrades) to address downstream invasive species at Glen Canyon Dam.
(b) Included alternatives
The alternatives analyzed under subsection (a) may include a thermal curtain or a selective water withdrawal system at Glen Canyon Dam to optimize hydropower generation when releasing cold water from Glen Canyon Dam, while also preventing entrainment of invasive species, pursuant to the 2016 Long-Term Experimental and Management Plan Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision and section 1802 of the Grand Canyon Protection Act of 1992 (Public Law 102–575; 106 Stat. 4669).
(c) Feasibility determination
If the Secretary determines that an alternative studied under subsection (a) is feasible under the reclamation laws, the Secretary may initiate design, construction, and associated activities of, as applicable, the recommended alternative, including any necessary policy actions allowable under the reclamation laws.
(d) Feasibility report
After completion of the feasibility study required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall develop a summarized feasibility study report that includes, at a minimum—
(1)
an analysis of the alternatives analyzed and identification of the recommended alternative;
(2)
an allocation of the construction, operation, maintenance, and replacement costs of the recommended alternative to the authorized purposes of the Colorado River Storage Project;
(3)
the major structural features and nonstructural features of the recommended alternative, any special considerations for implementation of the recommended alternative, and the estimated cost of implementation of the recommended alternative;
(4)
an analysis of the effects of the recommended alternative on hydropower production and rates, which shall be developed in consultation with the Western Area Power Administration;
(5)
a recommendation of the Secretary on whether—
(A)
the recommended alternative is found to be technically and financially feasible in accordance with the reclamation laws; and
(B)
the recommended alternative should be authorized for construction; and
(6)
any other recommendations determined to be necessary by the Secretary.
(e) Feasibility study and feasibility report deadlines
The Secretary shall—
(1)
not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, complete the feasibility study required under subsection (a); and
(2)
not later than 90 days after the date on which the Secretary completes the feasibility report required under subsection (d), submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives the feasibility report required under that subsection.
(f) Funding
(1) In general
The costs of the feasibility study required under subsection (a) shall be paid for by the Secretary using appropriated funds.
(2) Treatment of funds
Any Federal funds made available to carry out this section shall be nonreimbursable and nonreturnable to the United States.
(3) Identification of funds
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and Colorado River Storage Project power contractors, shall identify sources of available funds to carry out this section.
(g) Effect
Nothing in this section affects the criteria for the coordinated long-range operations of Colorado River reservoirs pursuant to section 602 of the Colorado River Basin Project Act (Public Law 90–537; 82 Stat. 900).
(h) Termination of Authority
The authority provided by this section expires on the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act.