<br />Beneficial Consumptive Uses
<br />
<br />An extensive discussion of consumptive uses is not anempted
<br />in this report as that subject has been treated in detail in
<br />Reclamation's "Colorado River System Consumptive Uses
<br />and Losses Report, 1981-1985." This report has been
<br />prepared jointly by the Upper and Lower Colorado Regional
<br />Offices and is due to be released in 1988. It presents e,stimates
<br />of t he consumptive uses and losses from the Colorado River
<br />System for each year from 1981tbrough 1985. The foUowing
<br />tahle summarizes annual water use from the system by States,
<br />including water use supplied by ground-water overdraft.
<br />
<br />Upper Basin Uses and Losses
<br />
<br />The three largest categories of consumptive use in the Upper
<br />Colorado River Basin are agricultural uses within the basin,
<br />transbasin diversions to adjacent drainages, and evaporation
<br />losses from the major reservoirs of the Colorado River
<br />System. During water year 1986, the estimated use for
<br />municipal and industrial supply and for agriculture in tbe
<br />Upper Basin was 2,800,000 acre-feet. Estimated evaporation
<br />losses were 610,()(X) acre-feet from mainstem reservoirs.
<br />About 670,000 acre-feet was diverted for use in adjacent
<br />drainages. Total estimatcd consumptive use amounted to
<br />3,700,000 acre-feet. Storage in the Upper Basin mainstem
<br />reservoirs increased by approximately 888,000 acre.feet
<br />during water year 1986.
<br />
<br />Lower Basin Uses and Losses
<br />
<br />During water year 1986, an estimated 5.3 MAP of water were
<br />released from Lake Havasu to meet the requirements for
<br />water deliveries at Imperial Oam, as wen as those of the
<br />Colorado River Indian Reservation near Parker, Arizona, the
<br />Palo Verde Irrigation Oistrict near Blythe, California, other
<br />miscellaneous users along the river, and transit losses between
<br />Parker Dam and Imperial Dam.
<br />
<br />The major water diversion above Parker Dam was by MWD.
<br />MWD pumped approximately 1,294,000 acre-feet from Lake
<br />Havasu during water year 1986.
<br />
<br />Releases of approximately 6.6 MAP were made from Lake
<br />Mohave during water year 1986 to meet minimum
<br />downstream needs in the United States at Parker Dam; to
<br />supply diversion requirements of MWD, miscellaneous
<br />contractors, "1'd other users; to offset evaporation and other
<br />transit losses between Oavis and Parker Oams; and to
<br />maintain the scheduled levels of Lake Havasu.
<br />
<br />During water year 1986, releases of approximately 6.6 MAF
<br />were made from Lake Mead at Hoover Dam to regulate the
<br />levels of Lake Mohave, to provide for the small users from that
<br />reservoir, and to provide for releases at Davis Dam. In
<br />addition, 175,000 acre-feet were diverted from Lake Mead for
<br />use by the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Boulder
<br />City; Basic Management, Inc.; and contractors of the
<br />Colorado River Commission of Nevada. Total releases and
<br />diversions from Lake Mead during water year 1986 were an
<br />estimated 17,388,000 acre. feet.
<br />
<br />For water year 1987, a total release of 12.2 MAF from Lake
<br />Havasu has been projected, including consumptive use
<br />requirements in the United States below Parker Dam, transit
<br />losses and regulation in the river between Parker Dam and the
<br />Mexican Border, flood control requirements, and treaty
<br />deliveries to Mexico.
<br />
<br />During water year 1987, MWD is expected to divert 1,269,000
<br />acre-feet by pumping from Lake Havasu. Consumptive uses
<br />by small users, river losses or gains, and reservoir losses
<br />between Oavis Oam and Parker Oam are projected to be a
<br />net loss of 120,000 acre.feet.
<br />
<br />There are no major users between Hoover Dam and Oavis
<br />Oam. Ouring water year 1987 the net diversions from Lake
<br />Mead are projected at 141,000 acre-feet. Evaporation from
<br />Lake Mead is projected to be about 980,000 acre-feet and nct
<br />gain between Glen Canyon Oam and Lake Mead is expected
<br />to be about 886,000 acre- feet.
<br />
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