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undertaken by the Districts in 2008 to conserve water was given. These activities <br />included delivering 6.7 inches per acre to Central's customers. McConaughy ended the <br />2008 WY at just over 600,000 acre feet which was 54% of average carryover and 35% of <br />capacity. Steinke explained that low flows were projected for 2009 based upon <br />conditions in 2008 and the carryover storage. <br />Steinke explained that the Districts, FWS, NGPC, and the ED Office were working on a <br />plan of operations for the 2009 water year. At the time of the meeting, a partial waiver of <br />the FERC winter release requirements was being negotiated. Steinke explained that the <br />Districts did not have an Annual Operating Plan completed yet but the most likely mode <br />of operation for the 2009 water year included: a drought mode of operation, maximizing <br />storage in Lake McConaughy and the Sutherland System, minimal winter and summer <br />releases and allocated deliveries to Central's irrigation customers. <br />Lyle Myler presented Bureau of Reclamation's North Platte River Water Supply Update <br />November 12, 2008 via a conference call. Lyle reported that the North Platte total <br />system storage of 1195.8 kaf at the end of water year 2008 represents a increase in the <br />system storage of 489.5 kaf over water year 2007 (706.3 kaf). Lyle mentioned that the <br />rise is attributable largely due to 119% of average runoff above Guernsey Reservoir for <br />the 2008 water year. Lyle explained that an 8" rain event resulted in a spill from the <br />Wyoming system and produced a 11,000 cfs peak flow into Guernsey. Lyle proceeded to <br />explain the tables and graphs contained in the report. Three projections are done, based <br />on reasonable minimum, most probable, and reasonable maximum inflow conditions. In <br />the fall, these inflow projections are based upon statistical analysis of the historic inflows. <br />Beginning in February, snowmelt forecasts will be incorporated into the three inflow <br />projections. Under the most probable projection, the North Platte Pathfinder ownership <br />would fill by the end of May. Glendo and Kendrick ownerships would not fill in the <br />2009 water year. With the assumption of full deliveries, under the most probable <br />projection, the total system end -of- September 2009 carryover storage would be 1273.2 <br />kaf. Under the assumption of maximum possible inflows, the Wyoming system would <br />fill and only release 135 kaf above irrigation demand out of Guernsey. If the Pathfinder <br />modification was in operation, the Pathfinder EA would be expected to fill to 33,493 <br />acre -feet and the Wyoming account would be expected to fill to 20,000 acre -feet under <br />the most probable projection. <br />The most probable projection anticipates Pathfinder ownership to reach a full ownership <br />content of 1070 kaf by the end of May. Therefore, Lyle expects irrigators to take early <br />hay run water this spring. <br />The NRCS snow pack maps show the lower North Platte Basin has accumulated 58% of <br />average snow pack and the upper North Platte Basin has accumulated 66% of average as <br />of November 11, 2008. <br />Lyle also updated the group about the Pathfinder Modification project. Lyle explained <br />the legal issues connected to the project and progress on the modification design. Lyle <br />was asked if sedimentation was a concern in Pathfinder and if it would affect the <br />2 <br />