WSP00286 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

I. Releases will likely remain at or near 2100 cfs through the summer and fall months. Additionally, beginning on July 15, a "load following" pattern will be implemented at Flaming Gorge in which there will be some fluctuation of releases within the day. The amount of fluctuation shall be constrained by the 1992 Flaming Gorge Biological Opinion (FGBO) which states that flows on the Green River near Jensen, Utah shall change by no more than plus or minus 12.5 percent of the daily average flow for the day. Because this constraint is measured on the Green River near Jensen, Utah (below the confluence of the Yampa River), the amount of fluctuation to take place at Flaming Gorge becomes a function not only of the magnitude of Flaming Gorge releases. but of the flow that is occurring on the Yampa River as welL The Yampa River is currently flowing at about 1800 cfs. Generally, however. the range (high to low) of fluctuations at Flaming Gorge will be about 800 to 1000 cfs on any given day, Inflow to Flaming Gorge has been much above average during this year's runoff season. Unregulated inflow in June was 761,000 acre-feet or 162 percent of average. April through July forecasted inflow is now 1.69 million acre-feet (142 percent of average. Inflow this April through July season will likely end up being the highest seen since 1986, Open forum discussions on Flaming Gorge operations have been taking place at meetings of the "Flaming Gorge Working Group". The next Working Group meeting is scheduled for August 26 at 10 am in Heber, UT. For more information on the Working Group, contact Ed Vidmar at 801-379-1000. ASPINALL - June unregulated inflow into Blue Mesa was 302,000 acre-feet or 108 percent of average. The basin snowpack has mostly melted off with only very high elevation snow left. Precipitation during the month was recorded at 120 percent of normal. It appears that the peak runoff occurred on June 18, when 5,660 cfs was the recorded inflow to Blue Mesa Reservoir. The present inflow rate into Blue Mesa Reservoir is about 2,700 cfs and reservoir releases are averaging about 1,800 cfs. Blue Mesa's current elevation is 7517.20 feet which corresponds to a storage content of about 810,000 acre-feet. Releases from Crystal Dam are currently 2,150 cfs. The Gunnison Tunnel is diverting 1,000 cfs from the river, leaving the flow in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison at about], 150 cfs These flow rates should remain at this level for the next couple of weeks, or until Blue Mesa Reservoir reaches it annual peak. After that the release rate from Crystal will be trimmed back to maximum powerplant capacity of about 1750 cfs. This will provide a canyon flow of about 750 cfs for the remaining summer months. The next meeting of the "Aspinall Unit Working Group" will be held on August 19, 1999 at 12:30 pm at Blue Mesa Reservoir's Elk Creek Visitors Center. These meetings are open forum discussions on the Aspinall Unit reservoir operations with many interested groups participating. Anyone needing further information about these meetings should contact Ed Warner in the Grand Junction Area Office at (970) 248-0654. NA VATO - June unregulated inflow into Navajo Reservoir was about 267,000 acre-feet or approximately 108 percent of average, The current reservoir inflow is about 1,700 cfs and the reservoir water surface elevation is at 6076.16 feet which corresponds to a reservoir content of about 1,568,000 acre-feet. Reservoir releases are currently set at 500 cfs and will remain at this level through the Summer and Fall months.