Laserfiche WebLink
IJanuary 7, 2004 19 <br />' Surplus condition governed the operation of Lake Mead from October 10, 2003 through December <br />31, 2003, in accordance with Article III(3)(b) of the Operating Criteria, Article II(B)(2) of the <br />Decree, and Section 2(B)(2) of the Interim Surplus Guidelines. A volume of 1.5 maf (1,850 mcm) of <br />water was scheduled for delivery to Mexico in accordance with Article 15 of the 1944 U.S.-Mexico <br />Treaty and Minute No. 242 of the International Boundary and Water Commission. <br />Lake Mead began water year 2003 at elevation 1,155.42 feet (352 meters), with 17.1 maf (21,093 <br />mcm) in storage, 66 percent of the conservation capacity of 25.877 maf (31,919 mcm). During the <br />year, Lake Mead steadily declined and reached its minimum elevation of 1141.93 feet (348 meters) <br />at the end of July 2003, with 15.6 maf (19,243) in storage, 60 percent of capacity. <br />L <br />n <br />0 <br />The total release from Lake Mead through Hoover Dam during water year 2003 was 9.46 maf <br />(11,669 mcm). Calendar year 2003 total release is projected to be 9.39 maf (11,582 mcm). <br />Consumptive use from Lake Mead during calendar year 2003 by the Robert Griffith Water Project is <br />projected to be 0.280 maf (345 mcm). <br />Under the most probable inflow conditions during water year 2004, Lake Mead will be at its <br />maximum elevation of 1141.22 feet (348 meters) at the end of October 2003 and will decline during <br />the water year to reach its minimum elevation of 1127.74 feet (344 meters) at the end of July 2004. <br />Releases from Lake Mead for water year 2004 are projected to be 9.53 maf (11,755 mcm). For the <br />2004 calendar year, total releases are projected to be 9.65 maf (11,903 mcm). For the purpose of <br />projections, estimated releases are based on the Partial Domestic Surplus condition as the criterion <br />governing the operation of Lake Mead. No flood control releases would be required during water <br />year 2004 under any of the three inflow scenarios. <br />The Interim Surplus Guidelines Record of Decision included ESA conservation measures. One such <br />conservation measure specified in Article X(4)(1) includes provisions for spawning razorback <br />suckers in Lake Mead. Reclamation continues to provide funding and support for the ongoing Lake <br />Mead Razorback Sucker study. The focus of the study has been on locating populations of <br />razorbacks in Lake Mead, documenting use and availability of spawning areas at various water <br />elevations, continuing ageing studies, and confirming recruitment events. No changes in operations <br />were made in water year 2003 to provide rising spring water surface elevations for spawning <br />razorback suckers as there were no storage equalization releases or Beach/Habitat Building Flows <br />during this timeframe. Based on the anticipated operation of Lake Powell for water year 2004, no <br />changes in operations to provide rising elevations are expected in the spring of 2004. <br />Lakes Mohave and Havasu <br />At the beginning of water year 2003, Lake Mohave was at an elevation of 638.47 feet (194.6 meters), <br />with an active storage of 1.577 maf (1,945 mcm). The water level of Lake Mohave was regulated as <br />needed between elevation 634 feet (193.24 meters) and 645 feet (196.06 meters) throughout the <br />water year, ending at an elevation of 640.95 feet (195.4 meters) with 1.643 maf (2,027 mcm) in <br />storage. The total release from Lake Mohave through Davis Dam for water year 2003 was 9.13 maf <br />