WSPC12728

• File Number: 8282.600.40
• Description: Colorado River AOP Status Report
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Author: USDOI/BOR
• Title: Colorado River Reservoir Operations Status Reports Partial Part 1 2005, with staff comments
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Data

Date: March 10,2005

From:

Water Resource Group, Salt Lake City

To:

All Colorado River Annual Operating Plan (AOP) Recipients

Current Status

February
inflow (unreg)
(Acre-Feet)

Percent
of normal

Midnight
March 09
Elevation

Fontenelle
Flaming Gorge
Blue Mesa
Powell
Navajo

28,000
39,000
20,000
497,000
72,000

98
78
88
118
239

6473.78
6014.61
7472.36
3558.13
6040.96

Reservoir
Storage
(Acre-Feet)

136,000
2,794,000
452,000
8,182,000
1,123,000

Expected Operation

FONTENELLE - Fontenelle Reservoir is currently releasing 1200 cfs and is averaging an inflow
of approximately 500 cfs. The reservoir elevation is declining at about 1 foot per week. Inflows will
likely begin to increase as afternoon temperatures increase through March. The reservoir elevation
is currently 6474.62 feet above sea level which is about 12 feet above the drawdown target.
Releases will likely be increased to powerplant capacity during late March as inflows begin to
increase and ice clears from the river below Fontenelle Dam.

The April through July inflow forecast decreased 120,000 acre-feet over the month of February. The
current official April through July inflow forecast is 680,000 acre-feet (79% of normal). Including
this reduction in the forecast, it is still likely that Fontenelle will fill by late July of2005. It is also
likely that controlled bypass releases will be necessary during the spring to maintain safe reservoir
levels during the spring runoff.

Open forum discussions on Fontenelle operations take place at the "Fontenelle Reservoir Working
Group" meetings. The Working Group is a forum for information exchange between Reclamation
and other parties associated with the operation ofFontenelle Reservoir. The public is encouraged to
attend and express their concerns and interests with regard to Fontenelle Reservoir operation. The
next Working Group meeting is scheduled for April 19, 2005 and will be held in Green River, WY at
the Wyoming Fish and Game Office (351 Astle Avenue, 307-875-3223). The meeting will begin at
10:00 am. For more information about the Fontenelle Working Group, contact Ed Vidmar at 801-
379-1182.

FLAMING GORGE - Releases from Flaming Gorge Dam are currently averaging 1000 cfs per
day. Reservoir inflows are averaging approximately 1450 cfs due in large part to releases of 1200
cfs from Fontenelle Reservoir. The reservoir elevation of Flaming Gorge is currently 6014.6 feet
above sea level and is steadily increasing.

The April through July Unregulated Inflow forecast was decreased by 150,000 acre-feet through the

"