Laserfiche WebLink
<br />priorities and the sixth priority of the 1931 California Seven Party Agreement was measured as 3.750 <br />maf. The target under the ISG for the end of2003 was 3.740 maf, thus California was in substantial <br />compliance with the ISG. Tracking of use in 2004 is shown below with forecasted uses at the end of <br />2004 of approximately 3.682 MAF. California agricultural uses must be reduced to 3.64 MAF by the <br />end of2006. <br /> <br />RiverWare/CRSS Model: We have procured licensing for the RiverWare model that is used by <br />Reclamation in its Colorado River Simulation System (CRSS) for policy-making and planning <br />purposes in the Colorado River Basin. Weare also obtaining training for using RiverWare and the <br />CRSS model application tor RiverWare has been received from Reclamation. This will be used to <br />investigate system operation scenarios beyond those in Reclamation's current modeling studies, <br />particularly relating to future reservoir operations in the case of a prolonged drought. <br /> <br />We also recently attended a meeting with Reclamation officials and Colorado River Basin states in Las <br />Vegas to discuss a newly developed simplified version ofCRSS, tentatively dubbed CRSS-Lite. This <br />model would be used as a screening tool to reduce the number of scenarios run with the larger, more <br />time-intensive RiverWare CRSS model. CRSS-Lite still requires some enhancements and internal <br />review by the USBR; the model may be available in January or February of2005. <br /> <br />Colorado River Annual Operating Plan: The Colorado River Management Workgroup held its final <br />consultation meeting on the Annual Operating Plan for 2005 on Sept. 24. In the 2005 AOP, the <br />"normal" criterion will govern operations and releases from Hoover Dam. This determination was <br />made based on the August, 2004 24-month study that projects the Lake Mead elevation to be below <br />elevation 1125 at the end of December. The Upper Basin states also requested that the Secretary, in <br />consultation with the Basin States review the 2005 AOP in April 2005 to determine if the runoff <br />forecast warrants an adjustment in releases for the water year. <br /> <br />Reclamation Requests for Proposals to Forebear Water Uses in Lower Basin: Given the <br />continuing drought situation in the Colorado River Basin, Reclamation has initiated a voluntary <br />forbearance demonstration program in an effort to reduce the loss of system storage in the Lower <br />Basin. <br /> <br />Specifically, Reclamation is attempting to acquire up to 110,000 AF annually to replace water <br />currently flowing to the Santa Clara Slough in lieu of operating the Yuma Desalter. With this program <br />Reclamation would financially compensate agricultural entitlement holder's who agree to forbear use <br />of a portion of their annual consumptive use of main stem water. Reclamation would only allow one- <br />third of an entitlement holder's acreage to be fallowed to create the forbearance and would not <br />compete with junior water users for the saved water. <br /> <br />The Colorado River Indian Tribes responded favorably to this request. However, after consultation <br />with Arizona and other junior users, Reclamation determined that it would not be possible to accept <br />forbearance agreements in 2004. Reclamation remains optimist that such can occur in 2005. <br /> <br />Central Arizona Water Conservancy District: The District is seeking to restore Arizona's priority to <br />mainstem water that was subordinated in the 1968 Colorado River Basin Project Act. There is briefing <br />paper on the CAP website that outlines the efforts oftheir Congressional Delegation on this matter. <br /> <br />Glen Canyon Adaptive Management Workgroup: The AMWG met in Phoenix on Oct. 25-26. <br />Major items of discussion included updates on various projects related to the Humpback Chub, <br />presentation of the draft Core monitoring plan for the program, discussion of the budget process and <br />efforts to make sure it is presented to Interior agencies in a timely manner and discussion of the <br />programmatic agreement with the tribes and Interior agencies concerning cultural resources. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />18 <br />