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<br />'00,551 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Substantially higher than normal releases from Hoover <br />Darn continued through the remainder of calendar year 1983 and <br />into 1984 in order to evacuate flood control storage space. <br />Releases remained above 27,000 cfs during this period. By <br />comparison, releases from Hoover Dam during a year would <br />normally range from about 5,000 cfs dur ing low water demand <br />periods to about 17,000 cfs during high irrigation months. <br /> <br />The 1983 high release rates from Hoover Dam resulted in <br />flooding of low-lying areas, bank erosion, and the raising of <br />adjacent ground water levels. Areas downstream of Davis Dam <br />experienced the greatest incidences of flood damage and <br />economic loss, most of which occurred to structures and <br />businesses within the floodway. Damage to recreational <br />facilities was widespread, affecting beaches, campsites, boat <br />docks, launch sites, and businesses servicing these <br />activities. Substantial revenue losses were incurred by <br />businesses, and many business owners experienced severe <br />personal hardships due to reduced recreational use along the <br />river during the period of high release rates. <br /> <br />Flood-related damages in 1983 below Davis Dam sustained <br />by Bureau of Reclamation facilities have been estimated to be <br />about $40 million. Damages to the private sector downstream <br />of Davis Dam have been estimated to be in the order of $30 <br />million. Another $10 million of estimated losses were <br />sustained by state, county, and local governments in the <br />lower Colorado River area, bringing the total estimated <br />damages below Davis Dam to roughly $80 million. The revenue <br />losses to businesses along the river due to the sustained <br />high flows are not included in this estimate. <br /> <br />Basin States and Federal <br />Review of River Operations <br /> <br />In July 1983, the Commissioner of the Bureau of <br />Reclamation requested that the Governors of the Basin states <br />each appoint a representative to join with various federal <br />agencies in a review of the 1983 river operations to <br />formulate possible modifications that could improve river <br />operations. These representatives have joined in making this <br />statement. <br /> <br />We reviewed the 1983 runoff experience and the Bureau of <br />Reclamation's studies of the 1983 runoff; participated in <br />oversight hearings conducted by the House Committees on <br />Interior and Insular Affairs and on Science and Technology <br />regarding the Bureau of Reclamation's management of the 1983 <br />runoff; considered various proposals to increase the amount <br />of vacant flood control space in the reservoirs and to reduce <br />.the Hoover Dam maximum release objective to 35,000 cfs; and <br />reviewed the Bureau of Reclamation's plans for future years' <br /> <br />-6- <br />