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from Odessa to Wood River were observed and widespread losses of the aquatic community from Wood River to Columbus were documented. Large numbers of dead, desiccated fish were observed, and documented, by numerous investigators and media sources throughout the remainder of the irrigation season. The magnitude of the negative impact of these extreme conditions on the short- and long-term health of the aquatic community is unknown at this time. WATER YEAR 2003 PROJECTIONS AND ]EA RELEASE PRIORITIES Water Yeaz 2003 Proiected Water Supply The Districts provided the following predictions for S1vI and Type-of-Year for the 2003 water year to the EA Manager on October l, 2002. Item S1vI, October through March S1VI, October through April Type-of-Year Prediction 354,000 af 400,000 af Very Dry The Type-of-Year is based on the predicted SNI (350,000 af) and Lake McConaughy carryover contents on October 1, 2002 (577,100 afl, in accordance with Section III of the EA Document. If the predictions hold true, EA content by the end of the non-irrigation season will be about 64,000 af (i.e., 10% Slvi + Cany-Over - Evap./Seep. or 40K + 26K - 2K = 64K). For past EA AOPs, flows at Grand Island were projected and compared to the Service's instream flow recommendations for the purposes of projecting shortages to target flow periods. Estimating flows at Grand Island, based on the Districts' projected operations, proved problematic for Water Year 2003. In the past, shortages were determined from estimations of flows at Overton and Grand Island using projected Jeffery and J-2 returns and average river gains/losses. However, based on experience during 2002 drought conditions, use of average gains/losses overestimated the amount of flows that might be expected to occur at Grand Island. Use of average monthly gains/losses from a high loss period (1993-1994) also provided enoneous results. Therefore, it was decided that a more general description, based on similar operations and conditions experienced during water year 2002, would be used to project flow conditions for water year 2003. Due to below normal water supply forecasts and Lake McConaughy carry-over storage, the Districts will follow a conservation mode of operation to maximize storage. During the non- irrigation season, no releases (i.e., beyond those required for minimum diversions at Keystone, 250-700 cfs), are planned. Therefore, estimates indicate that about 600 cfs will occur at Overton through late spring. During the irrigation season, releases will be made for irrigation customers and routed through the Districts' storage and regulating facilities, as much as possible, to generate hydropower. If drought conditions persist and similar 2002 gains/losses are experienced between Overton, Kearney, and Grand Island, very low to zero flows could occur as early as mid-July at Grand Island and persist throughout the irrigation season. Water Yeaz 2003 EA AOP 6 January 30, 2003