About the LHC/AWR Bill Williams River Diversion Project and Current Staus.

Introduction: Lake Havasu City (the City) and Arizona Water Resources, LLC (AWR) have joined together to develop the Bill Williams River Diversion Project (Project) to divert a small part (8,000 AFY average) of water from the Bill Williams River before it enters the Colorado River and is lost to the State of Arizona.
The City needs the water to offset likely Colorado River shortages as the elevation of Lake Mead declines. The Project consists of a sub-surface diversion facility and fish barrier located in the narrows about 4 miles upstream from the Highway 95 bridge. A pumping plant and 5 mile long 42-inch diameter pipeline would deliver the diverted Bill Williams River water to the Central Arizona Project (CAP). The CAP would use the Bill Williams River water and, by exchange, allow Lake Havasu City to divert an equal amount of CAP’s water from the Colorado River. In addition to needed environmental approval by the United States, an exchange agreement with the CAP and a revised water right application must be approved by the Arizona Department of Water Resources.
Project Cost and Financing: The Estimated cost is $42 million ($50 million if Native Fishery Restoration Program is included). AZW suggests that the Project be paid for by the City through assessments on new developments. The full faith and credit of the City would secure AWR’s issuance of industrial revenue bonds that would be paid off over a 10 to 30 year period, depending on the rate of new development in the City.
US FWS Denial: The application of the City and AWR for a Refuge Compatibility Determination has been denied by the Refuge Manager, even though all environmental impacts would be avoided or fully mitigated and the application meets all requirements published in the FWS Manual.