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<br />Because the mean annual inflow of 1,480 MCM (1.200 MAF) far exceeds the storage
<br />capacity of 426 MCM (,345 MAF), significant powerplant bypasses are expected under the
<br />most probable and maximum probable inflow scenarios, Additionally, there is little chance
<br />that the reservoir will not fill during water year 1994, In order to minimize spring high
<br />releases and to maximize downstream fishery resources and power production, the reservoir
<br />will probably be drawn down to minimum pool elevation 1970,1 m (6464 feet)(3) which
<br />corresponds to a volume of 115 MCM (,093 MAF) of live storage. While most of any
<br />powerplant bypass is generally the result of storage limitations, some powerplant bypass will
<br />likely result from operating'to meet these "fishery 'objectives,
<br />
<br />To meet the above stated operational objectives, a constant release of approximately 25,5 to
<br />39,6 m3/s (900 to 1,400 cfs) will be made through the fall and winter months, Releases at
<br />this level will provide an appropriate level of reservoir drawdown for the 1994 runoff
<br />season, while ensuring that downstream water rights and municipal and industrial needs are
<br />met. Under all but the most adverse inflow assumption, the reservoir is expected to fill in
<br />the summer of 1994.
<br />
<br />Flaming Gorge Reservoir
<br />
<br />Water year 1993 unregulated inflow into Flaming Gorge Reservoir is expected to be
<br />1,790 MCM (1.451 MAF) or 88 percent of the long term average. The April through July
<br />runoff was 1,276 MCM (1.034 MAF) or 85 percent of the long term average, With this
<br />near average inflow, Flaming Gorge is expected to gain approximately 376 MCM
<br />(,305 MAF) of storage in water year 1993,
<br />
<br />In 1993, Flaming Gorge was operated in accordance with the Final Biological Opinion on the
<br />Operation of Flaming Gorge (FBOFG), issued in November, 1992, The FBOFG outlines the
<br />reservoir operations during the spring, summer, and early fall months which may provide an
<br />improved habitat for endangered endemic species of fish. To accommodate the FBOFG,
<br />releases of 121.8 m3/s (4,300 cfs) were planned to be released from Flaming Gorge for four
<br />weeks in late May and early June to coincide with the peak flow of the Yampa River.
<br />However, due to the unexpected high runoff from the Yampa River, these releases were not
<br />maintained for the entire four weeks so that flooding in the Jensen, Utah, area could be
<br />minimized. During this period releases which were jointly agreed upon by Reclamation, the
<br />Fish and Wildlife Service, and Western Area Power Administration, were made so that flows
<br />in the Green River near Jensen would not exceed 566.4 m3/s (20,000 cfs). . After completion
<br />of the runoff, flows between 38,2 and 51.0 m3/s (1,350 and 1,800 cfs) were maintained at
<br />the Green River near Jensen, Utah, Under the terms of the FBOFG, 1993 met the flow
<br />requirements for the high flow year,
<br />
<br />In 1994 Flaming Gorge will again be operated in accordance with the FBOFG, If water year
<br />1994 runoff is similar to the probable minimum, most probable, or probable maximum
<br />inflow scenarios; high spring releases for 1 to 2 weeks, 2 to 4 weeks, or in excess of 6
<br />
<br />(3) units of length used in this document are meters (m), followed by equivalent feet (feet)
<br />
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