9579 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Executive Summary FEIS - Navajo Reservoir Operations Reservoir Operations Under the Preferred Alternative, releases would range from 250 cfs to 5,000 cfs. A spring peak release of 5,000 cfs is planned for most years. The non-peak spring releases could be as low as 250 cfs to support a target flow in the San Juan River downstream of Farmington of at least 500 cfs for endangered fish habitat and to conserve water for spring releases and for water development. Navajo Reservoir would be operated to meet spring peak and base flows as is described in the Flow Recommendations. All releases would be made within the operational limitations /constraints of Navajo Dam. Release changes would be limited to increments of 200 cfs or 10 percent of flow, whichever is higher, every 2 hours. Reclamation would continue a program to keep the public informed of release rates from Navajo Dam. Currently, some flexibility in reservoir releases exists because water committed under present water rights and/or future development is not fully used. This may be a significant amount of water in many, but not all, years. The release of this water will be incorporated into operations to augment a 250-cfs minimum release during the irrigation season while maintaining a target flow of at least 500 cfs downstream of Farmington." The use of this additional water would be determined through the Navajo Unit operation meetings and discussions with the Service. Fish and Wildlife The Service's official recommendations are contained in their Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act report, which is included in volume II, appendix L, of the FEIS. The Service has requested that Reclamation investigate enhancing trout habitat within the Special Regulation Waters downstream from Navajo Dam by creating pools and/or establishing in-stream structures and by stocking and monitoring. Other initial recommendations involve monitoring of riparian and fishery resources, supporting the trout stocking program, and reducing impacts of future water developments. In addition, the Service recommends developing fish passage at the Hammond Diversion Dam and at diversions on the lower Animas River. A complete list of Service recommendations is found in volume II of the FEIS. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) has provided written recommendations for fish and wildlife resources including funding and assisting NMDGF in monitoring the trout fishery and its recreational use. Monitoring of native fishes " The goal will be to maintain an irrigation season release between 350 and 500 cfs while assuring that a spring peak as described in the Flow Recommendations will not be affected and assuring recommended minimum flows are met. The target downstream from Farmington will be monitored from average weekly gage readings; as such, daily readings of some individual gages may fall below 500 cfs.