WSPC12729

• 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 2 2004, with staff comments
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Data

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Date: November 10, 2004

From:

Water Resource Group, Salt Lake City

To:

All Colorado River Annual Operating Plan (AOP) Recipients

Current Status

October
inflow (unreg)
(Acre-Feet)

Percent
of normal

Midnight
November 08
Elevation

Fontenelle
Flaming Gorge
Blue Mesa
Powell
Navajo

54,000
68,000
28,000
505,000
55,000

104
105
78
92
120

6497.63
6011.77
7476.76
3570.47
6024.61

Reservoir
Storage
(Acre-Feet)

281,000
2,699,000
483,000
9,145,000
955,000

Expected Operation

FONTENELLE - During the month of October, inflows to Fontenelle Reservoir were 54,000 acre-
feet (104% of normal). This is one of only 4 months since October of 1999 when the inflow volume
for the month was greater than the 30 average. The 3 month forecast (November through January)
has increased significantly over last months forecast. Last month, the 3 month forecast (October
through December) was 70% of normal. This month, the 3 month forecast (November through
January) is 91 % of normal. As a result of this change in forecast, releases from Fontenelle reservoir
were increased from 950 cfs to 1050 cfs to accommodate increased inflows and continue the
evacuation of the reservoir to prepare for next spring. By April 1st, 2005 the elevation ofFontenelle
Reservoir is now projected to be about 6470.5 feet above sea level based on the recent changes to the
forecast.

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 will be scheduled for April of2005 and will likely be held in Green
River, WY. At this time the exact time and place have not been scheduled. For more information
about the Working Group, contact Ed Vidmar at 801-379-1182.

FLAMING GORGE - During the month of October, unregulated inflows reached 105% of normal
(68,000 acre-feet). This is the first month where the unregulated inflow was above normal since
March of2001. As a result, forecasts for the 3 month period beginning November 1st were increased
significantly. Last month, the 3 month forecast (October through December) was 65% of normal.
This month, the 3 month forecast (November through January) is 93% of normal. The effect of this
change in the forecast increases the projected elevation of Flaming Gorge by about 1.4 feet over last