River Flow Advisory

Bureau of Reclamation Upper Colorado Region Salt Lake City, Utah Vol . 15, No. 5 July 1985

The snowme lt runoff has been about 150 percent of normal this year. Because of this and because the reservoirs were about full, releases this summer will be higher than normal except from Flaming Gorge Reservoir.

Colorado River at Westwater Canyon At Westwater Canyon, the flow of the Colorado River is 10,000 cfs, which is 160 percent of normal for the first part of July. The flow will continue to decrease season a 11 y.

Cataract Canyon Including the Green River Through Cataract Canyon, the flow of the Colorado River is 15,000 cfs -- 150 percent of normal for the first part of July. ·

Lake Powe 11 Prediction of snowmelt runoff above Lake Powell has increased to 150 percent of normal. Lake Powell has been drawn down 1 foot since filling in June. It is at elevation 3,699. It is expected to be drawn down to elevation 3,688 by October 1.

Colorado River Through Grand Canyon Flow releases from Glen Canyon Dam are at 30,000 cfs. This release will be maintained in July and August, then decreased to 25,000 cfs in September.

Green River Flows Below Flaming Gorge Dam Flaming Gorge Reservoir, now at elevation 6,033 feet, is expected to decrease to 6,023 feet by October. Releases from the dam are averaging 2,000 with daily fluctuations. The average release will be reduced to 1,600 cfs in August and September. This is below average for summer releases.

Green River at Green River, Utah Green River flows are at 6,000 cfs or about 111 percent of normal. Page 2

San Juan River below Navajo Dam The current release of 1,600 cfs is expected to be increased to 2,000 cfs in August and September. The flow of the San Juan River at Bluff is 2,500 or 190 percent of normal. Navajo Reservoir is now at elevation 6,082 (3 feet short of full) and it will be drawn down to elevation 6,070 by the first of October.

Dolores River - McPhee Reservoir The current release from McPhee Dam is 187 cfs. It is expected that no more water will be stored this year. Current information on Dolores River flows below McPhee Dam and commercial rafting permits may be obtained by calling Tom Christensen at the Bureau of Land Management at (303) 247-4082.

Gunnison River - Blue Mesa Reservoir The elevation of Blue Mesa Reservoir is now 7,515 feet (4 feet short of full) and is expected to be drawn down to elevation 7,509 feet by October 1.

For Current Information on River Flows: Call- the National Weather Se~vice River Forecast Center, Salt Lake City - Telephone number (801) 539-1311.

For Further Information on Reservoirs and Releases: Call the Upper Colorado Regional Office of the Bureau of Reclamation, Salt Lake City - Telephone numbers (801) 524-5576 or 524-5573.