Reservoir Expected Operations the Operation of Lake Powell and Lake
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Colorado River Basin Update
Colorado River Basin Update Wyoming Water Development Commission and Select Water Committee – Joint Meeting 13 May, 2021 Outline 1. Update on current hydrology 2. Current Topics A. Demand Management ( Wyoming and UCRC efforts) B. Drought Response Operations C. Discussion on Curtailment Procedures i. Discussions with Reclamation on Fontenelle Reservoir D. Discussion on post-2026 river operations E. Lake Powell Pipeline discussions 3. Wrap-Up 4. Q&A Upper Basin Drought Contingency Plan Three Elements A. Augmentation B. Demand Management Storage Agreement C. Drought Response Operations Agreement Demand Management A. Wyoming Discussions (support provided by UW extension) 1. Public meetings held during the fall of 2019 • Heard interest from water users in discussing both demand management and curtailment 2. Worked with key stakeholder group as well as focus groups on specific topics 3. Draft report prepared by UW team; final report out soon • Provides summary of public input and some recommendations on next steps • Will not address ultimate feasibility of Demand Management in Wyoming. More investigation still needed. B. UCRC effort 1. Four UB states & UCRC staff working with team of consultants to determine feasibility (technical, legal, policy and economic issues) 2. To be completed by fall of 2022 Drought Response Operations Navajo Reservoir Flaming Gorge Blue Mesa Reservoir Reservoir Agree on operations to implement under emergency conditions to maintain minimum power pool elevation at Lake Powell. By conserving water (temporarily) in Lake Powell or moving water available from upper CRSP facilities. Lake Powell Drought Response Operations A. Agreement Establishes a process to rely on available water in the CRSPA Initial Units as needed to reduce the risk of Lake Powell dropping below elevation 3,525’. -
Blue Mesa Reservoir
BLUE MESA RESERVOIR General Information Located in Western Colorado near the town of Gunnison, Blue Mesa Reservoir is Colorado's largest body of water. Blue Mesa Dam was built in 1966 and was the first and largest of the three Aspinall Unit dams intended to store and control spring flows on the Gunnison River. Blue Mesa Reservoir is 20 miles long and is the largest Lake Trout and Kokanee salmon fishery in the United States. It lies within the Curecanti National Recreation Area. Curecanti National Recreation Area 102 Elk Creek Gunnison, CO 81230 (970) 641-2337 www.nps.gov/cure Activities Boating, fishing, boat-in, developed, and primitive camping, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, and wildlife viewing. Facilities Visitor center at Elk Creek, campgrounds (8), marinas (2), boat ramps, day use / picnic areas, hiking trails, and Pappy’s Restaurant. Elk Creek Complex (970) 641-0707 The Elk Creek complex is the major facility of Blue Mesa Reservoir. It features a visitor center, the main marina, Pappy's Restaurant, campground and RV dump station. Campground consists of four loops with 160 campsites, water, electric hookups (Loop D), flush and vault restrooms, and showers also available. The marina offers in and out boat launching, a store, fish tackle, gasoline, boat rentals, kayaks, canoes, SUP's and boat slips. The marina and the restaurant are only open in the summer, while the visitor center and campground are open year- round. www.nps.gov/cure/planyourvisit/camp_elk_creek.htm www.thebluemesa.com Lake Fork Marina (970) 641-3048 The marina offers in and out boat launching, a store and tackle shop, gasoline, boat rentals, boat slips and guided fishing. -
January 13, 2021 Executive Director's Report
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT TO THE COLORADO RIVER BOARD OF CALIFORNIA January 13, 2021 COLORADO RIVER BASIN WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS REPORT As of January 4th, the surface water elevation at Lake Powell was 3,581.80 feet with 10.1 million- acre feet (MAF) of storage, or 42% of capacity. The surface water elevation at Lake Mead was 1,083.89 feet with 10.34 MAF of storage, or 40% of capacity. As of January 3rd, the total system storage was 27.50 MAF, or 46% of capacity, which is about 3.8 MAF less than the total system storage at this same time last year. As of January 6th, the Upper Basin reservoirs, excluding Lake Powell, ranged from 53% of capacity at Fontenelle Reservoir in Wyoming; 84% of capacity at Flaming Gorge Reservoir in Wyoming and Utah; 92% of capacity at Morrow Point, and 48% of capacity at Blue Mesa Reservoir in Colorado; and 63% of capacity at Navajo Reservoir in New Mexico. As of December 16, 2020, the forecasted unregulated inflow into Lake Powell for Water Year (WY) 2021 is 6.23 MAF (58% of normal). The forecasted April through July 2021 runoff into Lake Powell for Water Year-2021 is 4.05 MAF (57% of normal). For WY-2021, the November observed Lake Powell inflow was 0.26 MAF (55% of normal), and the December Lake Powell inflow forecast is 0.21 MAF (58% of normal). To date, WY-2021 precipitation is 65% and the current basin snowpack is 75% of normal. Colorado Basin River Forecast Center Webinar On January 8th, the Colorado Basin River Forecast Center (CBRFC) held a webinar to review the Basin’s current water supply conditions and forecasts. -
The State of Outdoor Recreation in Utah 2020 a High-Level Review of the Data & Trends That Define Outdoor Recreation in the State
the State of outdoor recreation in utah 2020 A high-level review of the data & trends that define outdoor recreation in the state. Jordan W. Smith, Ph.D. & Anna B. Miller, Ph.D. Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, Utah State University about the Institute The Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism (IORT) was founded in 1998 by the Utah State Legisla- ture through the Recreation and Tourism Research and Extension Program Act (S.B. 35). It is mandated to focus on: tourism and outdoor recreation use; the social and economic tradeoffs of tourism and outdoor recreation for local communities; and the relationship between outdoor recreation and tourism and pub- lic land management practices and policies. The purpose of the Institute is to provide: better data for the Legislature and state agencies in their deci- sion-making processes on issues relating to tourism and outdoor recreation; a base of information and expertise to assist community officials as they attempt to balance the economic, social, and environmen- tal tradeoffs in tourism development; and an interdisciplinary approach of research and study on outdoor recreation and tourism, a complex sector of the state’s economy. The Institute is composed of an interdisciplinary team of scientists with backgrounds in the economic, psychological, social, and spatial sciences. It is led by Dr. Jordan W. Smith (Director), Dr. Anna B. Miller (Assistant Director of Research and Operations), and Chase C. Lamborn (Assistant Director of Outreach and Education). The Institute delivers on its mission through a broad network of Faculty Fellows. Jordan W. Smith, Ph.D.1, is the Director of the Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism and an As- sistant Professor in the Department of Environment and Society at Utah State University. -
Annual Report of Operations for Flaming Gorge Dam Water Year 2013
Annual Report of Operations For Flaming Gorge Dam Water Year 2013 U.S. Department of the Interior January 2015 Bureau of Reclamation Table of Contents Annual Report of Operations for Flaming Gorge Dam ............................................................ 1 Operational Decision Process for Water Year 2013 ................................................................. 2 Step 1: Flow Requests for Research, and Other Federal, State and Stakeholder Input ........ 2 Step 2: Development of Spring Proposal .............................................................................. 4 Step 3: Solicitation of Comments ........................................................................................ 4 Step 4: Final Decision .......................................................................................................... 4 Basin Hydrology and Operations .............................................................................................. 5 Progression of Inflow Forecasts............................................................................................ 5 Summary of Flaming Gorge Operations ............................................................................... 6 Spillway Inspection ............................................................................................................... 8 Flow Objectives Achieved in Water Year 2013 ....................................................................... 8 Spring Flow Objectives...................................................................................................... -
September 9, 2020 Executive
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT TO THE COLORADO RIVER BOARD OF CALIFORNIA September 9, 2020 ADMINISTRATION Meeting Minutes, August 12, 2020 The draft minutes for the August 12, 2020, meeting of the Colorado River Board of California (CRB) have been prepared and were included in the Board meeting packet of materials and are proposed to be adopted at the September 9th, Board meeting. COLORADO RIVER BASIN WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS REPORT As of August 31st, the water level at Lake Powell was 3,599.93 feet with 11.74 million- acre feet (MAF) of storage, or 48% of capacity. The water level at Lake Mead was 1,084.02 feet with 10.35 MAF of storage, or 40% of capacity. As of August 30th, the total system storage was 29.72 MAF, or 50% of capacity, which is about 2.57 MAF less than system storage at this same time last year. As of September 1st, the Upper Basin reservoirs, excluding Lake Powell, ranged from 85% of capacity at Fontenelle Reservoir in Wyoming; 86% of capacity at Flaming Gorge Reservoir in Wyoming and Utah; 96% of capacity at Morrow Point, and 59% of capacity at Blue Mesa Reservoir in Colorado; and 71% of capacity at Navajo Reservoir in New Mexico. As of August 17th, the mid-month forecast for the unregulated inflow into Lake Powell for Water Year (WY) 2020 is 6.18 MAF (57% of normal). The preliminary observed April through July 2020 runoff into Lake Powell for Water Year-2020 was 3.76 MAF (52% of normal). For WY- 2020, the July observed Lake Powell inflow was 0.29 MAF (27% of normal), and the August Lake Powell inflow forecast is 0.1 MAF (19% of normal). -
River Flow Advisory
River Flow Advisory Bureau . of Reclamation Upper Colorado Region Salt Lake City, Utah Vol. 15, No. 1 September 1984 River flows in the Upper Colorado River drainage, still high for this time of year, are not expected to decrease much for several weeks: While the daily update of operations and releases has been discontinued, the toll-free numbers now provide updates on Bureau of Reclamation activities and projects. Utah residents may call 1-800-624-1094 and out-of-Utah residents may call 1-800-624-5099. Colorado River at Westwater Canyon The flow of the Colorado River on September 10 was 7, 000 cfs, and is expected to decrease slightly over the next few weeks. Cataract Canyon Includin2 the Green- River The flow was 11,500 cfs on September 10 and will continue to decrease slightly. Lake Powell Lake Powell's elevation on September 10 was 3,699. Assuming normal inflow for this time of year, the lake should continue to go down slowly to elevation 3,682 by next spring. Colorado River through Grand Canyon . Releases through Glen Canyon Dam remain at 25,000 cfs. These releases are expected to be maintained with no daily fluctuations in river flows. Upper Green River - Fontenelle Reservoir Fontenelle Reservoir is now at elevation 6,482 feet. Releases through the dam will be reduced to about 600 cfs starting on September 17 for about 2 weeks during powerplant maintenance. Green River Flows Below Flaming Gorge Dam On September 10 Flaming Gorge Reservoir was at elevation 6,039.9 feet. Releases from the dam are expected to average 2, 500 cfs in September and October with usual daily fluctuations. -
Coldwater Lake and Reservoir Research Projects
Coldwater Lake and Reservoir Research Projects Adam G. Hansen, Ph.D. Aquatic Research Scientist Annual Report Colorado Parks & Wildlife Aquatic Research Section 317 West Prospect Road Fort Collins, Colorado May 2018 STATE OF COLORADO John W. Hickenlooper, Governor COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Bob Randall, Executive Director COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE Bob Broscheid, Director WILDLIFE COMMISSION John V. Howard, Vice-Chair Marvin McDaniel Michelle Zimmerman, Secretary Robert “Dean” Wingfield Robert W. Bray James Vigil Marie Haskett Dale E. Pizel Carrie Hauser Jim Spehar Alexander Zipp Ex Officio/Non-Voting Members: Don Brown, Bob Randall and Bob Broscheid AQUATIC RESEARCH STAFF George J. Schisler, Aquatic Research Leader Kelly Carlson, Aquatic Research Program Assistant Peter Cadmus, Aquatic Research Scientist/Toxicologist, Water Pollution Studies Eric R. Fetherman, Aquatic Research Scientist, Salmonid Disease Studies Ryan Fitzpatrick, Aquatic Research Scientist, Eastern Plains Native Fishes Eric E. Richer, Aquatic Research Scientist/Hydrologist, Stream Habitat Restoration Matthew C. Kondratieff, Aquatic Research Scientist, Stream Habitat Restoration Dan Kowalski, Aquatic Research Scientist, Stream & River Ecology Adam G. Hansen, Aquatic Research Scientist, Coldwater Lakes and Reservoirs Kevin B. Rogers, Aquatic Research Scientist, Colorado Cutthroat Studies Kevin G. Thompson, Aquatic Research Scientist, 3-Species and Boreal Toad Studies Andrew J. Treble, Aquatic Research Scientist, Aquatic Data Management and Analysis Brad Neuschwanger, Hatchery Manager, Fish Research Hatchery Tracy Davis, Hatchery Technician, Fish Research Hatchery David Karr, Hatchery Technician, Fish Research Hatchery Jim Guthrie, Federal Aid Coordinator Alexandria Austermann, Librarian 2 Table of Contents I. Limnology, Zooplankton and Mysis Project A. Physical limnology, zooplankton and Mysis collections from Blue Mesa Reservoir, Lake Granby, and Taylor Park Reservoir (2016-2017)….………….............................. -
Management of the Colorado River: Water Allocations, Drought, and the Federal Role
Management of the Colorado River: Water Allocations, Drought, and the Federal Role Updated March 21, 2019 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R45546 SUMMARY R45546 Management of the Colorado River: Water March 21, 2019 Allocation, Drought, and the Federal Role Charles V. Stern The Colorado River Basin covers more than 246,000 square miles in seven U.S. states Specialist in Natural (Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California) and Resources Policy Mexico. Pursuant to federal law, the Bureau of Reclamation (part of the Department of the Interior) manages much of the basin’s water supplies. Colorado River water is used Pervaze A. Sheikh primarily for agricultural irrigation and municipal and industrial (M&I) uses, but it also Specialist in Natural is important for power production, fish and wildlife, and recreational uses. Resources Policy In recent years, consumptive uses of Colorado River water have exceeded natural flows. This causes an imbalance in the basin’s available supplies and competing demands. A drought in the basin dating to 2000 has raised the prospect of water delivery curtailments and decreased hydropower production, among other things. In the future, observers expect that increasing demand for supplies, coupled with the effects of climate change, will further increase the strain on the basin’s limited water supplies. River Management The Law of the River is the commonly used shorthand for the multiple laws, court decisions, and other documents governing Colorado River operations. The foundational document of the Law of the River is the Colorado River Compact of 1922. Pursuant to the compact, the basin states established a framework to apportion the water supplies between the Upper and Lower Basins of the Colorado River, with the dividing line between the two basins at Lee Ferry, AZ (near the Utah border). -
Navajo Reservoir and San Juan River Temperature Study 2006
NAVAJO RESERVOIR AND SAN JUAN RIVER TEMPERATURE STUDY NAVAJO RESERVOIR BUREAU OF RECLAMATION 125 SOUTH STATE STREET SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84138 Navajo Reservoir and San Juan River Temperature Study Page ii NAVAJO RESERVOIR AND SAN JUAN RIVER TEMPERATURE STUDY PREPARED FOR: SAN JUAN RIVER ENDANGERED FISH RECOVERY PROGRAM BY: Amy Cutler U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Upper Colorado Regional Office FINAL REPORT SEPTEMBER 1, 2006 ii Navajo Reservoir and San Juan River Temperature Study Page iii TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...............................................................................................1 1. INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................3 2. OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................5 3. MODELING OVERVIEW .......................................................................................6 4. RESERVOIR TEMPERATURE MODELING ......................................................7 5. RIVER TEMPERATURE MODELING...............................................................14 6. UNSTEADY RIVER TEMPERATURE MODELING........................................18 7. ADDRESSING RESERVOIR SCENARIOS USING CE-QUAL-W2................23 7.1 Base Case Scenario............................................................................................23 7.2 TCD Scenarios...................................................................................................23 -
Cogjm.Pre Film 1963-09-24.Pdf (216.9Kb)
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT of the INTERIOR * * * * * * * * * * * * * ********news release BUREAU OF RECLPJ.AATION Peterson - Interior 4662 WATE For Release SEPTEMBER 24, 1963 BUREAU OF RECLAMATION TO PREMIERE NEW~~IN NEVADA DURING PRESIDENT'S VISIT The world premiere of the Bureau ~lamation's new documentary motion held in- Las-Vegas, Nev .. -,--durin President Kennedy's visit there September 28, the Department of the Interior announced today. The 13!-minute 16 mm. color-and-sound film will be shown on a large screen in the Las Vegas Convention Center rotunda immediately preceding the President's address. On his way to Las Vegas during his conservation tour, the President will fly over nearby Hoover Dam, pioneer Reclamation multipurpose structure, and its reservoir, Lake Mead, for an aerial inspection. The dam and reservoir, along with Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell, 370 miles upstream, are featured in the film. "Clear Water on the Colorado 11 presents spectacular scenes of the once-muddy and almost inaccessible Colorado River in the canyons of Arizona and southern Utah, now desilted and cleared by Glen Canyon Dam which began storing water March 13, 1963. The film portrays the miracle of a silt-free Colorado River between the headwaters of Lake Mead and the headwaters of Lake Powell. The film points out that Glen Canyon Dam--topped out September 13, 1963, has desilted and cleared the Colorado River just as did Hoover Dam downstream 28 years ago. A tremendous load of sediment, varying from 24 to 270 million tons in different years, has been deposited at the head of Lake Mead since Hoover Dam was closed in 1935. -
Flaming Gorge Operation Plan - May 2021 Through April 2022
Flaming Gorge Operation Plan - May 2021 through April 2022 Concurrence by Kathleen Callister, Resources Management Division Manager Kent Kofford, Provo Area Office Manager Nicholas Williams, Upper Colorado Basin Power Manager Approved by Wayne Pullan, Upper Colorado Basin Regional Director U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation • Interior Region 7 Upper Colorado Basin • Power Office Salt Lake City, Utah May 2021 Purpose This Flaming Gorge Operation Plan (FG-Ops) fulfills the 2006 Flaming Gorge Record of Decision (ROD) requirement for May 2021 through April 2022. The FG-Ops also completes the 4-step process outlined in the Flaming Gorge Standard Operation Procedures. The Upper Colorado Basin Power Office (UCPO) operators will fulfil the operation plan and may alter from FG-Ops due to day to day conditions, although we will attempt to stay within the boundaries of the operations defined below. Listed below are proposed operation plans for four different scenarios: moderately dry, average (above median), average (below median), and moderately wet. As of the publishing of this document, the most likely scenario is the moderately dry, however actual operations will vary with hydrologic conditions. The Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program (Recovery Program), the Flaming Gorge Technical Working Group (FGTWG), Flaming Gorge Working Group (FG WG), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) provided input that was considered in the development of this report. The FG-Ops describes the current hydrologic classification of the Green River Basin and the hydrologic conditions in the Yampa River Basin. The FG-Ops identifies the most likely Reach 2 peak flow magnitude and duration that is to be targeted for the upcoming spring flows.