WSP03055

• File Number: 8282.600.40
• Description: Colorado River Annual Operations Reports
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 1/1/2002
• Author: USDOI/BOR
• Title: Colorado River Reservoir Operation Status Reports
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Data

'.

,

Date: April 12, 2002

RECEIVED
APR 1 9 2002

From:

Water Resource Group, Salt Lake City

To:

Colorado WatOl ConselVation Board
All Colorado River Annual Operating Plan (AOP) Recipients

Current Status

March
inflow (unreg)
(Acre. Feet)

Percent
of normal

Midnight
April 11
Elevation

Reservoir
Storage
(Acre.Feet)

Fontenelle
Flaming Gorge
Blue Mesa
Powe 11
Navajo

30,000
46,000
30,000
296,000
15,700

58
43
83
45
18

6,477.11
6,015.64
7,481.37
3,647.08
6,052.84

152,000
2,828,000
516,000
17,855,000
1,259,000

Expected Operation

FONTENELLE - The April update of the Water Supply Forecast for Fontenelle Reservoir is
calling for 560,000 acre-feet (65% of normal) of inflow during the April through July runoff
season. Releases are currently 450 cfs and will likely remain Wlchanged Wltil April 251\ 2002.
Then, depending on conditions, releases may be increased to near powerplant capacity C1500
cfs). If inflow volumes this spring end up being as high as anticipated, then it is likely that a
bypass release will be necessary to avoid use of the spillway. By mid-summer. Fontenelle should
be very nearly full and releases will likely be reduced to about 1100 cfs for the summer, fall and
winter months depending on how well Fontenelle fills during the spring runoff.

Open forum discussions on Fontenelle operations will be taking place at meetings of the
"Fontenelle Reservoir Working Group". The next Working Group meeting is scheduled for
September 2nd. 2002 at 10:30 a.m. in Green River Wyoming at the Wyoming Game and Fish
Building located at 351 Astle A venue. All those interested in the operation of Fontenelle
Reservoir are encouraged to attend these meetings. For more .information about the Working
Group, contact Ed Vidmar at 801-379-1182.

FLAMING GORGE - The April update for the Water Supply Forecast for Flaming Gorge is
calling for 720.000 acre-feet (61 % of normal) of unregulated inflow from April through July.
With the reservoir elevation currently about 24 feet below maximum capacity (currently 6015.6
feet above sea level). releases are being scheduled to remain at 800 cfs WltiJ mid-May. Then.
when the Yampa River peaks, releases will be ramped up to power plant capacity for a seven day
spring peak in accordance with the 1992 Biological Opinion. Releases will then most likely be
reduced to 800 cfs for the summer, fall and winter seasons to conserve storage in Flaming Gorge
. Reservoir.

Open forum discussions on Flaming Gorge operations will take place at the next "Flaming Gorge
Working Group" meeting to be held on April 16th, 2002 in Vernal, Utah at the Western Park