Summary of Bill S.3743 (119th Congress, 2nd Session)
Title: 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.
Introduction
- Introduced in the Senate on January 29, 2026 by Sen. Mike Lee, with Sen. John Curtis as a co-sponsor.
- Referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources; Subcommittee on Water and Power held hearings (as of March 17, 2026).
Purpose and Intent
- The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior (acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation) to conduct a feasibility study on a selective water withdrawal system at Glen Canyon Dam.
- The study aims to optimize hydropower generation when releasing cold water, while also preventing entrainment (capture) of invasive species.
- It builds on and references prior planning documents:
- 2016 Long-Term Experimental and Management Plan (LTEMP) Record of Decision (ROD)
- 2024 LTEMP Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) and ROD
Key Provisions and Changes
1) Feasibility Study (Section 1(a))
- The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP) power contractors, must conduct a feasibility study on a selective water withdrawal system at Glen Canyon Dam.
- The study must include hydrological modeling.
- Objective: to optimize hydropower generation during releases of cold water from Glen Canyon Dam while preventing the entrainment of invasive species, consistent with LTEMP ROD/SEIS.
2) Feasibility Determination (Section 1(b))
- If the study determines a selective withdrawal system alternative studied is feasible under reclamation laws, the Secretary may proceed to compliance and construction of the chosen alternative, provided the CRSP power contractors concur with the selected alternative.
3) Study Deadline (Section 1(c))
- The feasibility study must be completed within 18 months after enactment.
4) Funding (Section 1(d))
- Costs for the feasibility study are to be paid by the Secretary from appropriated funds.
- Any federal funds used are nonreimbursable and nonreturnable to the United States.
- The Secretary must identify sources of available funds within 90 days of enactment, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and CRSP power contractors.
5) Effect on Operational Guidelines (Section 1(e))
- The act does not modify post-2026 reservoir operations guidelines and strategies for Lake Powell and Lake Mead that are in effect before, on, or after enactment.
Potential Impact
- Agencies Involved: U.S. Department of the Interior (Bureau of Reclamation), Department of Energy, and CRSP power contractors.
- Practical Outcomes: A formal, government-funded feasibility assessment of deploying a selective withdrawal system at Glen Canyon Dam to balance hydropower efficiency with invasive species risk management.
- Timeline: 18-month study period from enactment; funding considerations to be resolved within 90 days.
- Policy/Operational Context: Aligns with LTEMP planning documents; any subsequent decision to build would require contractor concurrence and compliance steps under existing reclamation laws.
Who Would Be Affected
- Glen Canyon Dam operations and water management practices.
- Colorado River Storage Project power contractors.
- Federal agencies (Interior and Energy) implementing LTEMP framework.
- Stakeholders concerned with hydropower optimization and invasive species management in the Colorado River system.
Notes
- The bill is narrowly scoped to study and potential implementation of a selective withdrawal system; it does not by itself authorize funding beyond the feasibility study nor automatically authorize construction unless feasibility and contractor concurrence are achieved.
