River Flow Advisory
Bureau . of Reclamation Upper Colorado Region Salt Lake City, Utah Vol. 15, No.I March 1985
The water supply outlook for the Upper Colorado River Basin this spring is good, with most tributary flows being slightly high for this time of year. The March 1 forecasts indicate 130 percent of normal inflow to Lake Powell.
Colorado River at Westwater Canyon
The flow of the Colorado River is 6, 000 cfs, which is 200 percent of normal for the first part of March. The snowmelt runoff forecast is for 144 percent of normal.
Cataract Canyon Including the Green River
The flow through Cataract Canyon is 12,000 cfs -- 185 percent or normal -- with the snowmelt runoff forecast at 125 percent of normal.
Lake Powell
Lake Powell is at elevation 3,675 feet. It is expected to reach elevation 3,698 feet -- 2 feet below full -- by next July.
Colorado River Through Grand Canyon
Releases out of Glen Canyon Dam from March through June are expected to be above normal -- averaging 16, 000 cfs with some fluctuations. The minimum release for short periods of time each day will probably be greater than 3, 000 cfs. This is the first time since May 1983 that power releases have fluctuated during the day.
Upper Green River - Fontenelle Reservoir
The elevation of Fontenelle Reservoir is 6, 480 feet. The present release of 700 cfs will be increased as the inflow, which is expected to be about 86 percent of nor~al, increases. Page 2
Green River Flows Below Flaming Gorge Dam
Flaming Gorge Reservoir is now at elevation 6,021 feet and is expected to increase to 6,035 feet by this summer. This is 5 feet short of full . Releases from the dam, fluctuating each day and week, are expected to be about normal this spring and summer.
Green River at Green River, Utah
Green River flows are at 6,000 cfs, or about 170 percent of normal. The spring runoff is forecast at 105 percent of normal.
San Juan River below Navajo Dam
The current release from Navajo Dam of 2,500 cfs will be maintained for several weeks. The flow of the San Juan River at Bluff is 3,000 cfs. Navajo Reservoir is now at elevation 6,061 and is expected to increase to 6,083 by this summer . The runoff forecast is 136 percent of normal.
Dolores River - McPhee Reservoir
The March 1 forecast of runoff for the Dolores River is 131 percent of normal. The current release from McPhee Dam is 1,000 cfs, which will increase or decrease according to inflow and the filling criteria.
Gunnison River - Blue Mesa Reservoir
The elevation of Blue Mesa Reservoir is now 7,465 feet and is expected to reach 7,516 by this summer, which is 3 feet short of full.
For Current Information on River Flows:
Call the National Weather Service River Forecast Center, Salt Lake City - Telephone number (801) 539-1311.
For Further Information on Reservoirs and Releases:
Call the Upper Colorado Regional Office at the Bureau of Reclamation, Salt Lake City - Telephone numbers (801) 524-5576 or 524-5573.