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<br />summer and fall monsoon season of 2002. That sediment input is what the experimental <br />releases will attempt to mobilize to rebuild beaches and help benefit endangered fishes. <br />Researchers are continuing to refine the proposal for presentation at the July AMWG <br />meeting. If the recommendation is acceptable to the Secretary, Glen Canyon releases <br />will be adjusted to include this experimental flow. However, the total volume of water <br />released for the year can not exceed 8.23 maf plus any equalization releases that may be <br />required. <br /> <br />The primary purpose of the Water Year 2002-2003 experimental flows are to improve <br />retention of sediment resources in the Colorado River Ecosystem and to benefit native <br />fish, primarily the endangered humpback chub. The secondary purpose of the experiment <br />is to improve the Lees Feny trout fishery through reductions in Rainbow Trout densities <br />which are expected to improve growth rates and health ofthe remaining trout, and <br />preserve the blue ribbon character of that fishery. <br /> <br />If the experimental flow is carried out, a release in excess of power plant capacity will <br />occur in January 2003 assuming sufficient sediment input from the Paria occurred during <br />the monsoon season. Depending on Lake Powell elevation and assuming full power plant <br />capacity releases (31,000 cfs) a peak flow of around 41,000 cfs will occur for upto 48 <br />hours. The 1996 BHBF peak was 45,000 cfs. If there are not sufficient sediment inputs <br />this year, the test will be implemented in the first future year that tributary sediment <br />inputs are sufficient. Fluctuations for load following as previously discussed are still <br />expected to be part of the experiment. <br /> <br />Recommendation <br /> <br />If it appears that Califomia may miss the December 31, 2002 benchmark based on <br />information supplied at the July AOP meeting, we would expect the 2003 AOP to be <br />based on the 70R strategy. This means that given the current hydrology that there would <br />be no surplus declaration of any kind in 2003. Furthermore, we believe it appropriate to <br />include a 3.74 maf agricultural water use curve for Califomia in the AOP so that the 2003 <br />benchmark is met. We will need to see if the Secretary supports an experimental flow <br />this year given the existing drought conditions. This recommendation may be modified <br />based on actions that may taken at the May 15,2002 AOP meeting. <br />