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<br />Releases, as part of this test, were relatively high during April and May of 2000, ranging from <br />13,500 cfs to 31,000 cfs. On June 1, 2000, releases were lowered to 8,000 cfs. Except for five <br />days in September (September 5 - 8 and September 18), releases from Glen Canyon Dam were at <br />8,000 cfs through September 30, 2000. During this year's test releases, there was not a "load <br />following" pattern to releases (where releases are adjusted throughout the day in response to <br />energy demand). Low steady flows were an important component in this year's test releases for <br />native fish. Low steady flows are theorized to assist in the summer survival and growth of <br />young humpback chubs <br /> <br />On October 1, 2000, releases returned to a pattern of low fluctuating flows. Load following <br />releases have been resumed, and are being governed by the parameters of the 1996 Record of <br />Decision for the Glen Canyon Dam Final Environmental Impact Statement. <br /> <br />Releases in October will average about 9,800 cfs. On weekdays, daily fluctuations due to load <br />following will vary between a low of about 6,800 cfs (during late evening and early morning "off <br />peak" hours) to a high of about 12,800 cfs (during late afternoon and early evening "on peak" <br />hours). On weekends, releases will vary between a low of about 6,800 cfs during off peak hours <br />to a high of about 11,000 cfs during on peak hours. Releases in November will likely be very <br />similar to the October pattern. <br /> <br />Water year 2000 was dry in the Upper Colorado River basin. April through July unregulated <br />inflow into Lake Powell was only 4.35 million acre-feet, 56 percent of the long term average. <br />Inflow to Lake Powell has been much below average since May. Unregulated inflow to Lake <br />Powell in June, July and August was only 49, 25, and 27 percent of average, respectively. <br />Unregulated inflow in September ended up at 52 percent of average. Inflow is forecasted to be <br />below average for the months of October and November as well. Unregulated inflow to Lake <br />Powell in water year 2000 was 7.3 million acre-feet (62 percent of average). <br /> <br />The current elevation of Lake powell is 3677.5 feet (22.5 feet from full pool). Current storage is <br />approximately 20.9 million acre-feet (86 percent of capacity). Inflow to Lake Powell is currently <br />running about 7,500 cfs. <br /> <br />On September 18, 2000 California power demands exceeded their available supplies. This surge <br />in demand was caused by abnormally high weather temperatures. California's power demand <br />peaked in the afternoon and blackouts became imminent. The criteria established in response to <br />a Presidential directive last month were met, including evidence that no additional power <br />supplies were available. This directive mandates that federal power generation facilities take all <br />possible measures to maximize power importation into California under those circumstances. <br /> <br />As a result, on September 18,2000, Glen Canyon Dam generation was increased by about 330 <br />megawatts, about 8,300 cfs, to a total of about 655 megawatts or 16,300 cfs. The magnitude of <br />this increase was limited by available transmission capacity into California. The emergency <br />occurred at about 2 pm mountain standard time. The duration of this emergency release was <br />about 4 hours, after which releases were reduced by the 1,500 cfs{hour down ramp rate allowed <br />by the Glen Canyon Dam Final Environment Impact Statement Record of Decision. <br />