ShOP is not a truly permanent solution. With a limited duration of only 32 more years, ShOP would not guarantee Colorado River flow security in the long-term, and today’s water managers need to be planning far beyond a few decades given the hotter, drier, and more uncertain water future. In addition, without an Act of Congress, the ShOP agreement will continue to be subject to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s 40-year water supply contract limit.

The flows managed under ShOP are also far less than the flows commanded by Shoshone’s water rights. When called and used fully, Shoshone commands 1,408 cfs (or up to 1.02 million acre feet of water per year) compared to the more limited to 1,250 cfs summer and 900 cfs winter flows volunteered by ShOP participants.