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<br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />2000 OPERA nONS SUMMARY AND RESERVOIR STA TUS <br /> <br />Water year 2000 observed dry hydrologic conditions in the basin. The distribution of <br />precipitation and snowpack accumulation through the water year, however, was quite varied. <br />Very dry weather in late October, November, and December 1999 resulted in snowpack levels <br />being very low by January I, 2000. The final January inflow forecast issued by the National <br />Weather Service called for only 52 percent of average April through July unregulated inflow into <br />Lake Powell. January, February, and March, however, were months with above average <br />precipitation and the hydrologic picture had improved by April I, 2000. The final April inflow <br />forecast called for 85 percent of average April through July unregulated inflow into Lake Powell. <br />Hydrologic conditions reversed again in April. April was very dry and much warmer than average <br />in the Colorado River Basin, with many snow recording sites recording a record loss of snow <br />during the month. The National Weather Service significantly reduced the April through July <br />inflow forecast from April to May, with the May forecast calling for only 69 percent of average. <br />Basinwide precipitation in the months of May, June, and July was also below average and inflow <br />projections were further reduced as each of these months passed. The actual April through July <br />unregulated inflow into Lake Powell was 5,370 MCM (4.35 MAF), only 56 percent of average. <br /> <br />Water year 2000 unregulated inflow into Lake Powell was 9,020 MCM (7.32 MAF), or 62 <br />percent of average. This below average inflow resulted in a decrease of approximately 2,540 <br />~lCM (2.06 MAF) of storage in Lake Powell. Storage in reservoirs upstream of Lake Powell <br />decreased by approximately 1,080 MCM (0.88 r-.1AF). In Lower Basin reservoirs, storage <br />decreased by approximately 2,660 MCM (2.16 MAF). Total Colorado River system storage <br />decreased by approximately 6,280 MCM (5.09 MAF) during water year 2000. Even with this <br />decrease in storage, Colorado River reservoirs remain relatively full with total system storage at <br />83 percent of capacity as of September 30, 2000. During 2000, all deliveries of water to meet <br />valid obligations pursuant to applicable provisions of "The Law of the River" were maintained. <br />It is estimated that with average inflow during 200 I, the system will remain relatively full. <br /> <br />Tables l(a) and l(b) list the October I, 2000, reservoir vacant space, live storage, water <br />elevation, percent of capacity, change in storage, and change in water elevation during water year <br />2000. <br /> <br />November 16, 2000 <br /> <br />3 <br />