WSP13002

• File Number: 8282.500
• Description: Coordinated Long Range Operation of Colorado River Reservoirs
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 11/3/2004
• Author: Federal Register
• Title: Long-Range Operating Criteria 6th Review Initiated 1/15/2002 Federal Register notice
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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Fedl'ral Rflgisler/Vol. 69, No. 2IZ/Wednesday, NovO/nhar 3, 2fl04/NoticIls

1i40911

I.ONG.fL\NG": Or[RATIr'oIG Cltrn:UIA

CUITEUIA "'Olt CO()RUL"IiATEU 1.0:'llC:-RAN(a: OPERATlO:"i OF
COI.OUAIlO UIVt:lt R.ES..:ItVOIltS l'UItSUANTTO lllE COLOIt,\()() RIVER.
n,\SIN PIW.JECT ACT Of' Sf:l'Tf:.'IIJ1-:R 30, 196H (P.L. 9lJ-~.\7,

These Opemting Criteria arc promulgated in comptiaoce with Section 602 of
Public Law 9{)-537. They arc to control the courdinated long-range operation of the
sltlmge rcscrvoin in Ihe Colorado River Ba.~in constructoo under the authority of the
Columdo River Stul"llge Acl (hereinafter "Upper Basin Storage Rc:scrvoirs')lInd Ihe
Boulder Canyon Project Acl (Lake Mead). 'Ibc Opemting Criteria will be administered
consistent ""ith applicahle Federal laws, the Mellican Water Treilty, interstate compacts,
and dt:crl,.'Cs relating to the use (lflhe ""alers oflhe Colorado RiVer.

The Secretary of the Interior (hercinnller the "Secretary; may modify the
Operating Crileria from time to time in accordance with SI,."Ction 602(b) of 1'.1.. 9Q...537.
The Secretary will sponsor a fom'lill a review of the Operating Crileria alleast every
5 yean, wilh participlItion by SLate rep~ntatives as each Govemm may designate and
such other parties and agencies as the Secretary may dl,.ocrn appropriate.

I. ,\nnulll R,port

(I) On Jllnllury I, IQ72, 8110.11'11 JllnLl.lry I of ellch year th~.ft:'tllkr,the Secrclary
shaJltmnsmit to the Congress and to the Governors of the Colorado River Basin
StatC'S a rcpon describing the: actual operation under the adopted criteria for the
preceding compacl water year and the projected plan of operation for the current
year.

(2) The plan of operation ~hall include such detaik-J rules and quantities a~ may
be necessary and consislent wilh the criteria contained herein. and shall rencet
appropriate cOluidcrution of the: usc..'S of the reservoirs for all purposes,. including
flood control, river regulation, beneficial consumplive uses, power production,
water aualitv control. recreation, enhancemenl oflish and wildlife. and other
environmental factors. The projected plan of operation may be rcVISC(J 10 reflect
Ihe cum:nt hydrologic conditions. and the Congress and lhe (iovemors of Ihe
Colorado River Basin States be advised of any changes by June of each year.

II. OpC'rlllion or UPP'f lIa.in Ite~ervoin

(I) The annual plan of operalion shall include a determination by the Secretary of
the quantity of water con.'lidered nl,.'Cessary as of September 30 of each year to be
in storage as required by Seclion 602(a) ofP.L. 90.537 (hereinafter "602(a)
Storage'). The quantity of602(a) Stol"llge shall be detemlined by the Secretary
aller consideralion of allllpplicahle laws and relcvam faclUrs, including, bUI nol
limited to, the following:

(a) Historic strcamllows;
(b) The mosl critical period ofrecon1;
(c) Probahilities ofwaler supply;
(d) F..stimatl,.-J future deplelions of the upper hlL~in, including the clTcets of
rccum:nce of critical periods of water supply;
(e) The "Report ofthc Commillt."C on Probabilities and Test Sludies to the
TIL~k Force on Operating Criteria for theCtllorndo Riwr," dated October 30,
1969, and such additional studies as the S<<retary deems necessary;
(I) The necessity to as.Slltc that upper basin consumptive: uses not be
impaired because of failure to store sufficient water to as~lUre deliveries
under Section 602(a)(l) and (2) ofP.L. 90-537.