The Secretary of the Interior - Washington - CO River Interim Guidelines for Lower Basin Shortages and the Coordinated Operations for Lake Powell and Lake Mead

• Year: 2007
• Title: The Secretary of the Interior - Washington - CO River Interim Guidelines for Lower Basin Shortages and the Coordinated Operations for Lake Powell and Lake Mead
• CWCB Section: Interstate & Federal
• Description: The Secretary of the Interior - Washington - CO River Interim Guidelines for Lower Basin Shortages and the Coordinated Operations for Lake Powell and Lake Mead
• Publications - Doc Type: Other

Interim Guidelines for the
Operation of Lake Powell
and Lake Mead
A. Equalization Tier
In each Water Year, the Lake Powell equalization elevation will be as follows:
Lake Powell Equalization Elevation Table
Water Year Elevation (feet)
2008 3,636
2009 3,639
2010 3, 642
2011 3,643
2012 3, 645
2013 3, 646
2014 3, 648
2015 3, 649
2016 3, 651
2017 3, 652
2018 3, 654
2019 3, 655
2020 3, 657
2021 3, 659
2022 3,660
2023 3, 662
2024 3, 663
2025 3, 664
2026 3, 666
In Water Years when Lake Powell elevation is projected on January 1 to be at or
above the elevation stated in the Lake Powell Equalization Elevation Table, an
amount of water will be released from Lake Powell to Lake Mead at a rate
greater than 8.23 maf per Water Year to the extent necessary to avoid spills, or
equalize storage in the two reservoirs, or otherwise to release 8.23 maf from
Lake Powell. The Secretary shall release at least 8.23 maf per Water Year and
shall release additional water to the extent that the additional releases will not
cause Lake Powell content to be below the elevation stated in the Lake Powell
Equalization Elevation Table or cause Lake Mead content to exceed that of Lake
Powell; provided, however, if Lake Powell reaches the elevation stated in the
Lake Powell Equalization Elevation Table for that Water Year and the
September 30 projected Lake Mead elevation is below elevation 1,105 feet, the
Secretary shall release additional water from Lake Powell to Lake Mead until
the first of the following conditions is projected to occur on September 30: (i)
the reservoirs fully equalize; (ii) Lake Mead reaches elevation 1,105 feet; or (iii)
Lake Powell reaches 20 feet below the elevation in the Lake Powell
Equalization Elevation Table for that year.
ROD -Colorado River Interim Guidelines for December 2007
Lower Basin Shortages and Coordinated 51
Operations for Lake Powell and Lake Mead