7041 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

b. Flaming Gorge Reservoir The 1991 annual inflow into Flaming Gorge Reservoir was approxi- mately 78 percent of the long term average. This level of inflow combined with slightly above minimum releases, allowed the elevation of Flaming Gorge to recover 12 feet. But, even with this recovery, the reservoir was 8 feet short of filling in 1991. The special releases at Glen Canyon for the environmental studies resulted in releases from Flaming Gorge being above minimum levels in 1991. This increase in release was necessary to give W AP A more flexibility in keeping the power system whole in the event of an emergency. The releases were increased with the understanding that Flaming Gorge will only be used as a last resort, Le., power from other sources could not be purchased. A limited number of specific releases were provided in 1991 for research and data collection for studies concerning aquatic resources located below the dam. Colorado squawfish young-of-the-year were found in the mainstream of the Green River in mid - July of 1991 and, as recommended by the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), restrictions on releases were implemented in order to provide better habitat for the young Colorado squawfish. During 1991, these restrictions were met, and Reclamation fully expects to meet these and any additional reasonable recommendations for releases that will improve the habitat of threatened or endangered fish located downstream of the reservoir in 1992. Under all but the most adverse inflow scenarios, Flaming Gorge is expected to fill in the summer of 1992 and releases are expected to be well above minimum levels. c. Fontenelle Reservoir Water year 1991 marked the second full year of normal operations of the dam since installation of the concrete cutoff wall. The cutoff wall is still performing very satisfactorily, since seepage has been considerably reduced. With the inflow during water year 1991 at about 83 percent of average, the reservoir easily filled. Approximately 150,000 acre-feet of water bypassed the turbines. Since the mean annual inflow of 1.2 maf far exceeds the storage capacity of345,000 acre-feet, there is little chance that the reservoir will not fill during water year 1992. In order to minimize spring high releases and to maximize downstream fishery resources and power production, the reservoir will probably be drawn down to mini- 59