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I I I months. In dr;.' years. the 300 efs for the ~.mile reach can be reduced as agreed to by the :>'10;\ parties. In extremely dry years, the 300 cfs through the Black Canyon can be reduced (0 as Iitlle as 200 cfs. although other downstream requirements such as senior water rights could require more flow. Under the most probable inflow conditions. flows through the Black Canyon cfthe Gunnison National Park will be above the minimum release objective during the summer months. To protect both the blue ribbon trout fishery in the Black Canyon and recreational interests. releases during 2003 will be planned to minimize large fluctuations in the daily and monthly flows in the Gunnison River below the Gunnison Tunnel diversion. I I Under the minimum probable and most probable inflow scenarios. Blue Mesa Reservoir is nOl expected to fill in the summerof2003. With the most probable inflow. Blue ~lesa Resen'oirwill fill to v,'ilhin about 12 feet of full pool in July 2003. I I ;\'avajo Reservoir I I Exceptional droughl conditions prevailed in the San Juan River basin in 1002 with extremely low runofTin the basin. The April through July unregulated inflow into Navajo Reservoir in water year 2002 was 0.038 maf(46.9 mcm). or 4 percent of average. Water year 1002 unregulated inflO\... was 0.116 maf(143 mcm) or 10 percenr of average. This inflow was significantly below the previously recorded tow. which occurred in 1977. The San Juan River basin is in an extended dry cycle. April through July unregulated inflow to Navajo Reservoir in water years 1999,2000. and 2001 \"'as 81. 44. and 107 percent of average. respeclively. Resen'oir storage in Navajo Resen'oir has been significantly reduced due to these protracted drought conditions. Reservoir storage on September 30. 2002 was 51 percent of capacity. The water surface elevation at Navajo Reservoir on September 30, 2002 was 6.015.6 feet (1.833.6 meters). 69,4 feet from full. I I I I I I I The final report titled Flow Recommendations for the San Juan River. (Flo\\.' Recommendations) which outlines flow recommendations for the San Juan River below Navajo Darn. was completed by the Biology Committee of the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program (SJRIP) in t\1ay 1999. The report s:nthesizes research conducted on endangered fish in the San Juan River over a 7-year period. The purpose oflhe report is to provide flow recommendations for the San Juan River Ihat promote the recovery of the endangered Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker. maintain important habitat for these two species. as well as the other native species. and provide infomlation for the evaluation of continued water development potential in the basin. It is anticipated that implementation of the Flow Recommendations. or reasonable alternative to it. will allow for a non-jeopardy biological opinion to be issued by the Scryice for the operations of Navajo Dam. I I I Due to the severity of the drought and the hydrologic conditions in the San Juan River Basin during the spring runoff period. the Flow Recommendations directed that no spring peak release was necessary from Navajo Reservoir. Although there was no peak release. higher than nornlal base flows were released from !'\a\'ajo Resen'oir during the spring and summer months during water year 2002. Releases from Navajo Reseryoir reached 1.000 cfs (28 ems) during this period. These increases were necessary due 10 decreasing flows in the San Juan River endangered fish critical December 13. 2002 13