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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I As Lake Mead remains near capacity and flood control releases are required by the Hoover Dam Flood Control Regulations, consideration will be given to making these releases over the fall and winter months to avoid high flow releases during the January through July runoff season. This distribution of water reduces the chance of bypassing hydroelectric powerplants below Hoover Dam and avoids the adverse impacts of higher flood control releases on fish and wildlife, recreation, water quality, and river stabilization. Lakes Mohave and Havasu At the beginning of water year 1998, Lake Mohave was at elevation 196 meters (642.10 feet) with an active storage of 2,065 MCM (1.674 MAF). The water level of Lake Mohave was regulated as needed between elevation 194 meters (635 feet) and 197 meters (645 feet) throughout the water year ending at elevation 196 meters (644 feet) with 2,133 MCM (1.729 MAF) in storage. Lake Mohave released 14,274 MCM (11.572 MAF) of water for downstream water use requirements, flood control, and space building. Lake Havasu started water year 1998 at elevation 136.6 meters (447.99 feet) with 715 MCM (0.580 MAF) in storage. During the year, 11,230 MCM (9.1 04 MAF) were released from Parker Dam. In addition to these releases, 1,663 MCM (1.348 MAF) was diverted from Lake Havasu by CAP and 1,330 MCM (1.078 MAF) by MWD. Mohave and Havasu Reservoirs are scheduled to be drawn down in the late summer and winter months to provide storage space for local storm runoff and will be filled in the spring to meet higher summer water needs. This drawdown will also correspond with maintenance at both Davis and Parker Powerplants which is scheduled for September through February. The normal filling pattern of these two reservoirs coincides well with the fishery spawning period. Since . lake elevations will be typical of previous years, normal conditions are expected for boating and other recreational uses. Reclamation is the lead agency in the Native Fish Work Group, a multi-agency group of scientists attempting to augment the aging stock of the endangered razorback sucker in Lake Mohave. Larval suckers are captured by hand in and around spawning areas in late winter and early spring for rearing at Willow Beach Fish Hatchery below Hoover Dam. The following year, one year old suckers are placed into predator-free, lake-side backwaters for rearing through the spring and summer. When the lake is normally drawn down during the fall, these fish are harvested from these rearing areas and then released to the lake. The suckers grow very quickly, usually exceeding ten inches in length by September. Senator Wash and Laguna Reservoirs Operations at Senator Wash Reservoir allow regulation of water deliveries to United States water users and Mexico downstream at Imperial Dam. The reservoir is operated to meet water user demands when necessary and to prevent Colorado River flows from exceeding Mexican Treaty requirements at Morelos Dam. This includes excess flows in the river caused by water user 13