WSPC12730

• 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 2003, with staff comment
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Data

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Date: January 9, 2003

JAN 1 2003

From:

Water Resource Group, Salt Lake City

Ccfotado V/D.;~r Ccri~-U'/c~::n

To:

All Colorado River Annual Operating Plan (AOP) Recipients

Current Status

December
inflow (unreg)
(Acre-Feet)

Percent
of normal

Midnight
January 8
Elevation

Reservoir
Storage
(Acre-Feet)

Fontenelle
Flaming Gorge
Blue Mesa
Powell
Navajo

26,000
22,000
17,400
252,000
12,600

79
55
67
58
51

6,487.18
6,009.64
7,444.77
3,618.82
6,010.16

209,000
2,630,000
284,000
13,639,000
823,000

Expected Operation

FONTENELLE - The inflow volume into Fontenelle Reservoir for the month of December was
25,900 acre-feet (78% of average). The water surface elevation decreased from 6490.06 on
December 1, 2002 to 6487.79 on December 31, 2002. Releases during the month of December were
steady at about 650 cfs and the total volume released during December was 40,200 acre-feet.

The Water Supply Forecast for Fontenelle Reservoir is calling for an April through July inflow
volume of 510,000 acre-feet (59% of normal). The reservoir elevation will steadily decline until
early next spring when the snowmelt runoff begins. At the current rate of decline, with releases
remaining at 650 cfs and assuming the current forecasted inflow projections, the reservoir should
reach a low of about 6480 feet above sea level by early next spring. This will be about 15 feet above
the normal drawdown target for this time of year. In September each year, releases are set for the
winter period based.Qn forecasted and projected inflows during the winter period. Releases are
typically not adjusted during the winter to provide stable habitat for fish and wildlife and also to
protect against ice damming in the river. Inflows since September have increased more than
expected causing the anticipated drawdown elevation for next spring to increase.

Open forum discussions on Fontenelle operations take place at the "Fontenelle Reservoir Working
Group" meetings. The next Working Group meeting is scheduled for April 9th, 2003 at 10:00 am. at
the Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge. All those interested in the operation of Fontenelle
Reservoir are encouraged to attend this meeting. For more information about the Working Group,
contact Ed Vidmar at 801-379-1182.

FlAMING GORGE - The unregulated inflow during the month of December was 22,100 acre-feet
(55% of average). The reservoir elevation on December 1,2002 was 6010.17 and by the end of
December (December 31st) the reservoir elevation was 6009.71 (30.29 feet below the top of the
spillway gates). The reservoir content is currently 70% of full capacity. Releases during December