WSP08910

• File Number: 8282.600.40
• Description: Colorado River Annual Operating Reports
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 8/1/2000
• Author: USDOI/BOR
• Title: Colorado River Reservoir Operation Status Reports Part 2
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Data

,I.

ASPINALL - September unregulated inflow into Blue Mesa was 30,000 acre-feet or 79 percent
of average. Precipitation in the Gunnison basin was below average for the month. The current
inflow rate into Blue Mesa Reservoir is about 550 cfs and reservoir releases are averaging about
1,200 cfs. Blue Mesa's present elevation is 7486.76 feet, which corresponds to a storage content
of about 556,000 acre-feet.

Releases from Crystal Dam are currently 1,300 cfs. The Gunnison Diversion Tunnel has been
diverting about 700 cfs. The Gunnison River below the tunnel remains steady at about 600 cfs.
These releases should remain at this level until the next reduction in tunnel diversion flows. Fall
releases are projected to be gradually reduced in conjunction with reductions in tunnel diversions
as demands for irrigation decrease. Crystal releases are reduced to match reductions of tunnel
diversion in order 10 keep the river flows into the Black Canyon as constant as possible. Flows
in the Gunnison River below the diversion tunnel are scheduled to remain at 600 cfs for the next
several 'months.

The "Aspinall Unit Working Group" meeting was August 17,2000 at 12:30 pm at Blue Mesa
Reservoir's Elk Creek Visitor Center. At this meeting, review of last spring and summer
operations, and plans for this fall 2000 operations were discussed. The next meeting is scheduled
for January 18, 2001 in Montrose, Colorado. These meetings are open forum discussions on the
Aspinall Unit reservoir operations with many interested groups participating. Anyone needing
further information about these meetings should contact Dan Crabtree in the Grand Junction Area
Office at [phone].

NA VAJO - Releases from Navajo Reservoir are currently 800 cfs. This is a 200 cfs increase that
occurred on September 18 in response to river flows decreasing below the 500 cfs minimum flow
at Bluff, Utah. The 500 cfs minimum flow level is set by the Flow Recommendations for
endangered fIsh.

September unregulated inflow into Navajo Reservoir was about 8,000 acre-feet or approximately
21 percent of average. Precipitation for the month was below normal for the month. The current
reservoir inflow is about 160 cfs and the water surface elevation is 6060.45 feet which
corresponds to a reservoir content of about 1,354,000 acre-feet. All reservoir releases are being
made through the powerplant.

A public meeting on Navajo Reservoir operations was held on August 22, 2000 at 1:00 pm in
Farmington, New Mexico. At this meeting, review of last spring and sununer operations, and
plans for this fall 2000 operations were discussed. The next meeting is scheduled for January 23,
2001 in Farmington. These are open forum discussions on the operation of Navajo Reservoir with
many interested groups participating. Anyone interested in the general operation of the reservoir
is encouraged to attend. For further information about these meetings or the daily operations of
Navajo Reservoir please contact Ed Warner in Reclamation'S Grand Junction Office at (970) 248-
0654.

Glen Canvon Dam - Test releases from Glen Canyon Dam, which had been in progress since
April, were completed on September 30, 2000. These test releases were made for the benefIt of
endangered humpback chubs in the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam.