Annual Operating Plan For Colorado River Reservoirs 2004

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January 7, 2004 10 2004 RESERVOIR OPERATIONS The regulation of the Colorado River has had effects on downstream aquatic and riparian resources. Controlled releases from dams have modified temperature, sediment load, and flow patterns, ' resulting in increased productivity of some introduced aquatic resources and the development of economically significant sport fisheries. However, these same releases have detrimental effects on endangered and other native species. Operating strategies designed to protect and enhance ' downstream aquatic and riparian resources have been established at several locations in the Colorado River basin. Modifications to planned operations may be made based on changes in forecast conditions. However, due to the Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin (Upper Colorado Recovery Program), Section 7 consultations, and other ' downstream concerns, modification to the monthly operation plans may be based on other factors in addition to changes in streamflow forecasts. Decisions on spring peak releases and downstream ' habitat target flows may be made midway through the runoff season. Reclamation and the Fish and Wildlife Service will initiate meetings with interested parties, including representatives of the Basin States, to facilitate the decisions necessary to finalize site - specific operations plans. ' Reclamation completed Section 7 consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Service in April 2002 on current and projected discretionary routine lower Colorado River operations and maintenance ' activities for a period of up to 3 years. On an annual basis, Reclamation's compliance with environmental commitments related to the April 1997 and 2002 Biological Opinions are reported to the Fish and Wildlife Service. The most recent report documenting Reclamation's compliance with ' these commitments is dated April 2002. Reclamation's compliance with additional environmental commitments, related to adoption of the Interim Surplus Guidelines, will continue to be addressed in future annual reports, as appropriate. Reclamation and the Fish and Wildlife Service have also formed a partnership with other Federal, State, and private agencies to develop the Lower Colorado River Multi- Species Conservation Program. This program permits both non - Federal and Federal parties to participate and address Endangered Species Act (ESA) compliance requirements under rSections 7 and 10 of the ESA. ' The following paragraphs discuss the operation of each of the reservoirs with respect to compact, decree, statutory water delivery obligations, and instream flow needs for maintaining or improving aquatic resources, where appropriate. Fontenelle Reservoir Precipitation and ensuing runoff in the Upper Green River Basin during water year 2003 were below normal for the fourth year in a row. The April through July runoff into Fontenelle during water year 2003 was 0.390 maf (481 mcm), or 45 percent of normal. Inflow peaked at 7,500 cfs (212 cros) on ' June 3, 2003. Releases in excess of powerplant capacity were not required from Fontenelle Reservoir in 2003. Maximum releases in 2003 were at powerplant capacity (approximately 1,500 cfs [40 cros]) from March 21, 2003, to June 3, 2003. Fontenelle Reservoir reached a peak elevation of