What is a Feasibility Report and how is it related to the EIS?

A feasibility report is a document that evaluates whether a project plan is practical and can be successful. Reclamation is preparing a feasibility report and an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Verde Reservoirs Sediment Mitigation Project (VRSMP); the EIS will be included as an appendix to the feasibility report. The feasibility report will be conducted in accordance with Bureau of Reclamation Manual Directives and Standards CMP 09-02: Water and Related Resources Feasibility Studies. 

How fast are Horseshoe and Bartlett Reservoirs filling with sediment?

As of a 2021 sediment survey, approximately 36,000 acre-feet (AF) of water-storage capacity has been lost to sediment accumulation in Horseshoe Reservoir. This loss represents approximately one-fourth of Horseshoe Reservoir’s original storage capacity. Additionally, Bartlett Reservoir has lost approximately 15,000 AF of storage capacity to sedimentation. Combined, Horseshoe and Bartlett reservoirs sediment losses amount to approximately 15 percent of the original storage capacity of the Salt River Federal Reclamation Project’s (SRFRP) Verde River reservoir system. Today, it is estimated that Horseshoe Reservoir loses approximately 500 AF of storage capacity per year from sedimentation, and Bartlett Reservoir loses approximately 180 AF per year.

What other agencies, Native American Tribes, and interested parties are involved with the project?

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers , U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) - Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District are cooperating agencies on this project. Additionally, Reclamation is coordinating with Arizona Game and Fish Department and consulting with 18 Native American Tribes. Reclamation is also working with Arizona Public Service and other USFS Special Use Permit holders on proposed affected facilities.

Has Reclamation already decided what alternative will be chosen?

Reclamation is continuing to discuss and refine alternatives to address the purpose and need. The alternative development and selection process incorporates a number of guiding principles as provided by relevant laws and guidance, including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. and the Principles and Requirements for Federal Investments in Water Resources (Council on Environmental Quality 2013). Reclamation has not yet decided on the preferred or chosen alternative.

How can I ask questions, provide comments, or stay in touch?

Participation in the VRSMP Feasibility Report and EIS process is strongly encouraged. Public scoping for the EIS occurred from July 11 to August 13, 2025, and Reclamation hosted in-person and virtual public meetings that provided project information and overview of the proposed alternatives. These meetings also provided information on public commenting, and information on how to stay informed on the VRSMP Feasibility Report and EIS.

What would happen to existing recreational opportunities at Bartlett Reservoir if Reclamation increases the height of Bartlett Dam?

The proposed increase in height of the new Bartlett Dam would require relocating existing recreation infrastructure and facilities. Reclamation, in coordination with Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District and the Salt River Valley Water Users’ Association (collectively SRP) and the USFS (Tonto National Forest),  is developing alternatives that would replace in-kind the loss of recreation infrastructure and facilities by relocating and developing new facilities and infrastructure around the western shoreline of the proposed reservoir following a set of principles, key design considerations, and criteria.

Are there ways to accomplish the project without increasing the height of Bartlett Dam?

Alternative methods to accomplish the project’s purpose and need without increasing the height of Bartlett Dam were considered in the appraisal report and in developing the preliminary alternatives for the feasibility report. Alternative 4 is a non-structural alternative that would restore lost storage capacity in the Verde River reservoirs system and mitigate future sediment-accumulation impacts on storage capacity by dredging sediment from Horseshoe Reservoir. This alternative would require removing and trucking sediment to an offsite location on a continuing basis as part of ongoing maintenance.

Will the VRSMP affect sensitive biological or cultural resources? 

Reclamation, in coordination with SRP, USFS, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, are surveying the project area for sensitive biological resources and working with the USFWS to address effects to listed species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Formal Section 7 ESA compliance is anticipated for the project. Compliance with the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act are also anticipated.

Reclamation is conducting surveys to identify cultural resources that may be affected by the project and will complete the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106 process in a phased manner. In cooperation with Tribes, and other federal and state agencies, Reclamation is preparing a programmatic agreement to address adverse effects on cultural resources.

Virtual Public Scoping Meeting Questions & Answers

The following questions were submitted during the VRSMP virtual public scoping meetings:

Will a copy of this presentation be posted on the project website?

A copy of the presentation given at the virtual public meetings on July 28 and August 1 can be found here: Virtual Presentation.

Alternative 2’s 650,122 AF of storage space and Alternative 3's 402,422 AF of storage space does not include the Vacated Horseshoe Storage Space (VHS), correct?

The 650,122-AF of storage capacity under Alternative 2 represents the storage created by a new Bartlett Dam and Reservoir Expansion (at  the normal maximum water surface elevation of 1,901-feet ), and does not include any of the storage capacity created under the VHS at Horseshoe Reservoir.  Similarly, the 402,422 AF of storage capacity under Alternative 3 represents the space created by a 1,860-foot elevation at New Bartlett Dam, and does not include any of the VHS at the Horseshoe Reservoir.

Under Alternatives 2 and 3, will any water rights be severed/transferred from Horseshoe Reservoir to Bartlett New Verde Space (NVS)?

Under both alternatives, the current water rights held by SRP and the City of Phoenix at Horseshoe Reservoir may be severed and transferred to New Bartlett Dam. The severance and transfer is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR). However, the severed and transferred water rights from Horseshoe Reservoir would not be associated with the NVS. The NVS represents additional storage capacity, beyond the water rights already assigned to Bartlett Reservoir and the severed and transferred water rights from Horseshoe Reservoir.

How does the larger reservoir created by Alternative 2 or 3 improve the reliability of water for SRP users?

The restored capacity within the SRFRP's Verde River Reservoir system would increase the total capacity for SRP and the City of Phoenix customers on the system, thus improving reliability. Additionally, the larger reservoir created by Alternatives 2 or 3 would create additional storage space, both within the NVS and VHS; the additional storage capacity would increase reliability for Arizona water users.

How does this project impact the rate that SRP will extract groundwater?

Impacts to groundwater will be evaluated as part of the Feasibility Report and also included in the Draft EIS.

Will modeling be done to determine how often Alternatives 2 and 3 dams will actually fill up? Is there enough water in the system to fill a larger reservoir (either under Alternatives 2 or 3)?

Preliminary modeling indicates that the frequency of wet winters and the volume of Verde River discharge during those winters would fill the SRFRP's Verde River Reservoir system under Alternatives 2 and 3. As recently as winter 2023, there was enough discharge from the Verde River to completely fill the system under Alternatives 2 and 3. In addition, for an expansion of Bartlett Reservoir roughly equal to Alternative 2, the average yield of water stored in NVS is approximately 90,000 acre-feet/year per the VRSMS appraisal study.

For the modeling based on how often the Alternative 2 and Alternative 3 reservoirs will be filled, will that consider the priority of rights of all upstream and downstream water rights? That seems necessary to make an accurate determination of when the reservoirs can legally fill.

The effects analysis within the EIS would include any impacts to upstream and downstream water rights. Ongoing modeling efforts will help inform any impacts to water rights from the alternatives.

I may have misheard, but for the No Action alternative, did someone mention that dredging of Granite Reef would occur?

Current maintenance of the system includes ongoing dredging at Granite Reef Diversion Dam. This maintenance activity would continue under all of the alternatives.

Is ADWR being consulted regarding new permits for the Alternative 2 and Alternative 3 reservoirs, and severances and transfers of the current permits for Horseshoe Reservoir?

Yes, there has been and will continue to be consultation with ADWR regarding any required permits or the severances and transfers of water rights.

Will the US allocate any of the new storage space as mitigation to Tribes whose CAP entitlements are in danger?

Reclamation does not yet know what the proposed federal allocation will be. Potential uses of that allocation would depend on the amount. We are working on options and expect to have details on a proposed federal allocation in the Draft EIS.

Will the water that is planned to be appropriated and stored in the VHS be allocated to water users?

Reclamation is working with SRP on the potential allocations, and SRP is working with the non-federal partners to develop potential allocations for NVS and VHS. We do not yet know what the allocation for Horseshoe Reservoir would look like.

How would the allocations work for the NVS and HVS?

We do not yet know what the proposed federal allocation will be. Potential uses of that allocation would depend on the amount. We are working on options and expect to have details on a proposed federal allocation in the Draft EIS.

Reclamation is working with SRP on the potential allocations and SRP is working with the non-federal partners to develop potential allocations for NVS and VHS. We do not yet know what the allocation for Horseshoe Reservoir would look like.

How many river miles will be newly inundated under Alternative 2? Alternative 3?

Under Alternative 2, approximately 6 miles of the Verde River would be newly inundated by the reservoir expansion (under the normal maximum water surface elevation of 1,901 feet). Approximately 4 miles of the Verde River would be newly inundated by the reservoir expansion under Alternative 3 (normal maximum water surface elevation of 1,860 feet). The new river miles to be inundated under both alternatives would occur between Horseshoe Dam and the normal maximum water surface elevation for the current Bartlett Reservoir.

How was sediment deposition determined?

Surveys were used to calculate the amount of sediment accumulation at both Horseshoe and Bartlett Reservoirs. The most recent surveys include a LiDAR survey completed in 2021 at Horseshoe Reservoir and a bathymetric survey completed in 2022 at Bartlett Reservoir.

How do the new NEPA regulations change the approach for the EIS? 

The approach for this EIS will not change much under the new Department of Interior NEPA regulations and handbook. We are still anticipating publishing the Draft EIS for public comment. You will likely see some changes to what we previously labeled as “cumulative effects;” this analysis will now fall under the “reasonably foreseeable effects” section.

Can you provide more information about how the NEPA process/scoping will assess and mitigate Project impacts on downstream senior water rights?

The EIS will evaluate impacts from the alternatives, including any impacts on water users. One of the purposes of scoping is to identify potential issues of concern or any new information to be considered in the NEPA process.

The City of Phoenix also holds water rights in Horseshoe Reservoir. Are those rights intended to be transferred to Bartlett Reservoir or will they simply be abandoned?

It is believed at this time that no existing water rights would be abandoned under any alternative. The City of Phoenix has the option to sever and transfer their water rights to the new Bartlett Reservoir as proposed for Alternatives 2 and 3, or leave them at Horseshoe Reservoir.

What is the anticipated construction start date? Is there a preliminary construction cost estimate for Alternatives 2 and 3?

A construction start date for any of the alternatives is unknown at this point. The proposed project would first have to be authorized by Congress. Work on a preliminary cost estimate is ongoing and will continue to be developed for the Feasibility Report.

Would the new dam under Alternative 2 provide enough head to justify installation of a hydropower plant at Bartlett Dam?

In the Appraisal Study, it was determined that hydropower at Bartlett Dam would provide approximately 2 percent of the total project benefits. Hydropower does not address the purpose and need of sediment impacts and water supply for this Feasibility Study. Future hydropower would remain an option at Bartlett Dam.

It was implied that the federal government has interest in this project to meet federal obligations. How much capacity would be needed to secure federal obligations?

Federal capacity for Alternatives 2 and 3 are still being evaluated.                                                                                                                                       

Could the sediment be dredge to help construct the new dam alternatives to reduce foot print of spoil area?

The roller-compacted concrete mix design is currently being evaluated. The optimal mix design will be determined through various lab tests that will decide an appropriate mixture and type of aggregate.

Can you talk more about modeling for when Bartlett NVS will fill, spill, virtually spill to satisfy various water rights in priority?

Modeling is still underway. Projections of future streamflow will be inputted into a model of the Salt-Verde reservoir system (applying the Reservoir Planning Model) as part of the Feasibility Report and will be included in the Draft EIS.

Will entities that provided funding for the non-federal share of the Feasibility Study have a priority to allocation of new Verde storage?

Twenty-four non-federal participants are providing funding for the Feasibility Report due to their interest in NVS capacity from a New Bartlett Dam. Proposed non-federal allocations are subject to change due to any federal interest.

Can you talk more about how the process will assess impacts to downstream water quality?

The EIS will evaluate impacts from the alternatives, including any impacts to water quality. 

This is a large project! How will it be funded?

The VRSMP Feasibility Study was authorized and funded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58). Reclamation's recommended alternative will be provided to Congress in the Feasibility Report. Congress would need to authorize the project before it can proceed. This authorization would provide the funding for implementation.

Previous Station: Providing Scoping Comments

For more information on the VRSMP Feasibility Report and EIS, please visit Reclamation’s project website, or email VRSMP@usbr.gov. If you would like to be added to the email list to receive notifications and updates on the VRSMP, please email VRSMP@usbr.gov with subject line "Add me to Email List".