WSPC06819

• File Number: 8200.300.20
• Description: Colorado River-Colorado River Basin-Colorado River Basin Legislation-Law-Federal
• Date: 4/25/1985
• Title: CR Colorado River Floodway Protection Act-Corres Reports etc-Jan thru Apr 1985-File1of2-Proposed Statement of Position on House Bill HR 1246 by the Seven Colorado River Basin States-Revised Draft
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

001369

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generation, which are listed here in descending order of

priority as established by Congress. Frequently, the optimum

operating procedure for one purpose is directly opposed to

the optimum operating procedure for another purpose. Flood

control benefits are maximi zed by keeping reservoir storage

levels low to maximize the amount of empty space available to

regulate flood flows. Water supply benefits are maximized by

keeping the reservoir storage levels high so as to provide

for deliveries during multi-year periods with low runoff.

Hydroelectric benefits are maximized by storage somewhat

lower than the optimum for water conservation so as to

minimize releases in excess of power plant capacity. Also,

such a lower storage level avoids the necessity to release

water to produce energy on a continuous basis rather than

storing it for release at a later date to meet peak demands.

Hydrologic analyses of the Colorado River system using

these alternatives were made, and the benefits of each, as

measured by reduced flood damages, increased availability of

water and generation of hyroelectric energy, were compared.

In addition, the impacts of these alternatives on fish and

wildlife, water quality, and other parameters were analyzed.

The Corps of Engineers' analyses concluded that the

alternative that most closely paralleled the then-existing

regulations produced the optimum combination of beneficial

objectives. After public review and comments on the Corps of

Engineers' study, this alternative was adopted as the Hoover

Dam Flood Control Re;ulations.

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