TOPOCK — The Topock Marsh has seen a significant drop in water levels recently, with dry patches visible and locals concerned about the effects on wildlife.
The 4,000-acre Bureau of Reclamation marsh is adjacent to the Colorado River in the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, it serves as a recreation area and wildlife habitat for the Tri-state.
Although FWS did not corroborate the exact numbers, a representative confirmed several factors have contributed to the low water levels, including reduced flows in the Colorado River and “an outflow structure leak.”
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Specifically, a leaking control gate at South Dike has been leaking water from the marsh into the Colorado River.
FWS and BOR have been working together to find a long-term solution to the problem. In the meanwhile, some short-term relief has been installed at the marsh.
In addition to cofferdams, which are temporary structures used to keep water out of a specific area, temporary pumps were installed on Dec. 8, 2023 and began pumping water from the Colorado River into the marsh’s Fire Break Canal inlet, BOR said in a press release. The pumps will run continuously through February and deliver at least 5,000 acre-feet of water to the marsh.
“These temporary pumps will provide some relief while the Service and Reclamation finalize long-term solutions to improve marsh conditions,” FWS said.
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In 2022, BOR began designing a permanent, automated, pumping station to eliminate reliance on the current gravity-fed system. Construction of the pumping station and the nine-mile electrical line needed to operate the pumps is scheduled to begin this year, with completion slated for January 2026.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the day-to-day operation of Topock Marsh including routine maintenance of three boat ramps and recreation areas. Until the pump system is complete, the service will continue monitoring water levels and conditions at the marsh to assess potential effects to wildlife.
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