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,. (:') '.-.'l ~ :"".) . ~-::) i- , ~o\o2t1 Cc-r-n . <S~oro~o..Q :<"Z..Vlv.3C'O. D~T I~ SAN JUAN RIVER BASIN RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM RECOMMENDATION FOR HYDROLOGY COMMITTEE July 6, 1999 Revised September \3, 1999 BACKGROUND The Navajo Dam Operating Committee (NDOC) is one of the three original committees of the San Juan River Basin Recovery [mplementation Program (SJRIP). [t was formed to provide input to the Bureau of Reclamation during the research period to assure that the interests of the water users Below Navajo dam, as well as those of the environment are protected in making releases. With the completion of the flow recommendations, including operating criteria for Navajo Dam, much of the original purpose of the NDOC was superseded. [n 1995, the Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) began an effort to develop an operation model of the San Juan River. Recognizing the utility ofa standardized model of the river in accomplishing the recovery of the endangered fish, especially in the development of flow recommendations, the SJRIP Biology Committee recommended participation in the model development. The USBR and Bureau of Indian Affairs (B[A) took the lead in developing the model. To provide input from other interested parties, an Ad Hoc committee was formed by these two agencies that does not have official status in the SJRIP. This committee has met periodically since [995 to review model input, calibration and verification and provide comment on the model development. Participants have included representatives ofUSBR, BIA, US Fish and Wildlife Service, States of New Mexico and Colorado and the Southwestern Water Conservation District. The SJRIP model is based on Riverware, a generic modeling tool developed by CADSWES. Riverware has been in a state of development. with new functionality and changes in rule language during the course of the San Juan modeling project. Since this modeling tool will continue to be used to analyze the capability of the system to meet flow recommendations, on-going changes and updates are likely. In fact, a list of recommended upgrades to the model and input data has been developed and prioritized for future implementation. This ongoing maintenance requirement would benefit from involvement of parties with interest in the water resources of the basin. PROPOSAL It is proposed that a Hydrology Committee be formed as a formal committee of the SJRIP, replacing the Navajo Dam Operating Committee and the ad hoc hydrology committee. Purpose The Hydrology Committee would be a technical committee functioning in an advisory capacity to both the Biology and Coordination Committees. It would be responsible for oversight of all