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<br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Total unregulated inflow into Lake Powell in water years 2000 and 2001 was 62 and 59 percent of <br />average, respectively, and only 25 percent of average in 2002. Inflow in 2002 was the lowest ever <br />observed since the completion of Glen Canyon Dam in 1963. These low inflows have reduced <br />water storaQ:e in Lake Powell. Lake Powell reached a low water surface elevation this vear of 3605 <br />~ . <br />feet (95 feet from full pool) on yfay L 2003. The current elevation of Lake Powell is 3,609 feet (91 <br />feet from full pool). Current storage is approximately 12.7 million acre-feet (52 percent of capacity). <br />The ,\yater surface elevation at Lake Powell should continue to increase in June. However, there wiII <br />not be a large rebound in water storage this year with projected inflow being so low. Under the <br />current inflow forecast, Lake Powell will reach a peak water surface elevation of about 3,615 feet <br />this year. in late June or early July. <br /> <br />Experimental Flows: Daily high fluctuating releases from Glen Canyon Dam, as part of the Glen <br />Canyon Dam experimental flows, were completed on March 31, 2003. From January through <br />March 2003 releases ranged bet\:veen a high of20,000 cfs to a low of 5,000 cfs each day. These <br />same high fluctuating releases are scheduled to be repeated in January through March of2004. <br /> <br />The January through March high fluctuating releases were intended to benefit the endangered <br />humpback chub. Scientists have recognized that the humpback chub population has been in general <br />decline since highly fluctuating flo'\vs '\vere curtailed in November of 1991. Those flows helped <br />keep the non-native fish, especially the rainbow and brown trout, in check. The trout are thought to <br />prey upon and compete with native fish such as the endangered humpback chub. <br /> <br />The experimental flows from Glen Canyon Dam received environmental clearances in December <br />2002. The flo'\'\-s were analyzed in an environmental assessment in accordance with the National <br />Environmental Policy Act. The experimental flows are the result of ongoing studies by scientists <br />from the United States Geological Survey and were recommended by the Glen Canyon Dam <br />Adaptive Ylanagement Work Group, a Federal advisory committee. The experimental flows address <br />the decline of1"\'\-o key resources in the Grand Canyon: sediment and population viability of <br />endangered humpback chub. The Finding of 1"0 Significant Impact on the experimental flows can <br />be found at http://m,nv.uc.usbr.gov/ampfflow_tonsi.pdf. <br />