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"l Navajo Reservoir Operations 78 JEnvironmental Impact Statement Update Bureau of Reclamation Low-flow test delays EIS schedule In July 2000, the Bureau of Reclamation canceled plans to conduct a low-flow test in the San Juan River below Navajo Reservoir to the confluence of the Animas River. The test had been scheduled for July 10-14. The 250 cubic feet per second (cfs) release, combined with the drought conditions and lower than normal water levels in the Animas River at that time, would not have left enough water in the river system for the habitat needs of the endangered Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker. Termination of the 2000 test resulted in delaying Reclamation's completion of the Environmental Impact Statement (BIS) for approximately 1 year. (See revised time line on page 3). Reclamation plans to reschedule the low-flow test for late June or early July 2001, depending on the availability of water to meet the habitat needs of the endangered fishes. Releases from the reservoir will be reduced at incremental levels to a minimum of250 cfs. This is approximately half the flow that is normally released from Navajo Reservoir during the summer. Once the test commences, a wide array of data will be collected including; . Aerial photography from Navajo Dam to the confluence of the Animas River . Water temperature monitoring at six locations from the dam to the Hanunond Diversion . Assessment of physical changes in the river from the dam to the Animas River . Flow data from several existing river gage stations February 2001 . Water quality samples . Fisherman use and. catch rates within the Quality Waters section of the San Juan River The test will help determine some of the impacts low flows may have on the affected environment including riverrecreation and water quality, and on irrigation and water user diversion structures. Public Meetings Before the low-flow test is conducted, Reclamation plans to hold public meetings in both Farmington, New Mexico, and Bluff, Utah, to allow the public an opportunity to identify any issues or concerns they have about the low-flow test. These meetings will be held sometime this spring. Reclamation will announce the dates, times and location of the meetings via a news release.