Annual Operating Plan For Colorado River Reservoirs 2004

• Description: Annual Operating Plan For Colorado River Reservoirs 2004
• State: CO
• Date: 3/17/2004
• Title: Annual Operating Plan For Colorado River Reservoirs 2004
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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January 7, 2004
Table 3. Glen Canvon Dam Release Restrictions (Glen Canyon Dam Operating Criteria)
18
Parameter
(cfs)
(cros)
Conditions
Maximum flow (3)
25,000
708.0
Minimum flow
5,000
141.6
Nighttime
8,000
226.6
7:00 am to
7:00 pm
Ramp rates
Ascending
4,000
113.3
per hour
Descending
1,500
42.5
per hour
Daily fluctuations (2)
5,000 / 8,000
141.6 / 226.6
Releases from Lake Powell in water year 2004 will continue to reflect consideration of the uses and
purposes identified in the authorizing legislation for Glen Canyon Dam. Powerplant releases and
Beach/Habitat Building Flows will reflect criteria based on the findings, conclusions, and
recommendations made in the ROD for the GCDFEIS pursuant to the Grand Canyon Protection Act
of 1992, and NEPA documentation regarding the April 24, 2002, AMWG experimental flow
proposal.
The Secretary is currently considering information submitted to the Department of the Interior by the
Colorado River Basin States (65 Federal Register 48537, August 8, 2000) whereby 602(a) storage
requirements determined in accordance with Article II (1) of the Operating Criteria would utilize a
value of not less than 14.85 maf (elevation 3,630 feet) for Lake Powell through the year 2016.
Reclamation is currently conducting a NEPA process to determine the effects of the Basin States
proposed 602(a) storage. A draft Environmental Assessment titled "Adoption of an Interim 602(a)
Storage Guideline" was released in September 2003.
Lake Mead
In accordance with Article III(3)(a) of the Operating Criteria, Article II(B)(1) of the Decree, and
Section 5(B) of the Interim Surplus Guidelines, the criterion governing the operation of Lake Mead
was the Normal condition from January 1, 2003, through October 9, 2003. The Full Domestic
(l) May be exceeded during beach/habitat building flows, habitat maintenance flows, or when
necessary to manage above average hydrologic conditions.
(2) Daily fluctuations limit is 5,000 cfs (141.6 cros) for months with release volumes less than
0.600 maf (740 mcm); 6,000 cfs (169.9 cros) for monthly release volumes of 0.600 to 0.800 maf
(740 to 987 mcm); and 8,000 cfs (226.6 cros) for monthly volumes over 0.800 maf (990 mcm).