WSP03527

• File Number: 822.600.10
• Description: Colorado River Annual Operating Plan - Annual Reports
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 1/1/2003
• Author: USDOI/BOR
• Title: Annual Operating Plan
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Annual Report

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Authority

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This 2003 annual operating plan (AOP) was developed in accordance with Section 602 of The
Colorado Ril'er Basin ProjecT AeI (Public Law 90-537). and [he Criteria for Coordinated LVI/g-
Range Operarioll of Colorado Ri\'er Resermirs Pursuan/to the Colorado Ri\"er Basin Projecl ..leI of
September 30. /968 (Operating Criteria), promulgated by the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary)
pursuant therelo. In accordance with 771e Colorado Ri\'Cr Basin Project Act and the Operating
Criteria. the AOP must be developed and administered consistent with applicable Federal laws, The
Urili:arion afWaters o/the C%radol1nd Tijumw Ri\'ers and alrhe Rio Grande. Trealy Between rhe
United Stares a/America alld Mexico. signed February 3. t 944 (1944 U.S.-.\kxico Water Treaty).
interstate compacts. court decrees. the Record of Decision. Colorado River Interim Surplus
Guidelines Final Environmental Impact Statement (Interim Surplus Guidelines) (66 FR 7772). and
other documents relating to the use of the waters of the Colorado River. which are commonly and
collectively known as "The Law of the River:'

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The Operating Criteria and Section 602 of The Colorado Ri\.er Basin Project ACT mandate
consultation with rcpresentatives of the Governors of the seven Basin States and such other parties as
the Secretary may deem appropriate in preparing the annual plan for operation of the Colorado River
reservoirs. In addition. The Grand Canyon ProtecTion Act oj 1993 (Title XVIII ofPuhlic Law 102-
575) requires consultation to include the general public and others. Accordingly. the 2003 AOP was
prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) in consultation with the seven Basin States
Govcrnors' representatives; the Upper Colorado River Commission; t\ative Amcrican Tribes:
appropriate Federal agencics; representatives of the academic and scientific communities.
environmental organizations. and the recreation industry: water delivery contractors: contractors for
the purchase of Federal power; others interested in Colorado River operations; and the general
public. through the Colorado Rivcr Management Work Group (CRMWG).

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Purpose

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The purposes of the AOP are to detennine: (1) the projected operation of the Colorado River
rescn'oirs to satisfy project purposes under varying hydrologic and climatic conditions: (2) the
quantity of water considered necessary as of September 30. 2003. to be in storage in the Upper Basin
rcscn.oirs as required by Section 602(a) of The Colorado Hi"!'r Basin ProjeCT ACT; (3) water
available for delivery pursuant to the 1944 U.S.-~fcxico \\later Treaty and :vtinute ;\'0. 141 of the
International Boundary and Water Commission. United States and ~1exico (lBWC): (4) whether the
reasonable consumptive use requirements of mainstream users in the Lower Division States will be
met under a "nonnal.~ Msurplus." or "shortage" condition as outlined in Anicle 11I oCthe Operating
Criteria; and (5) whether water apponioned to. but unused by one or more Lower Division States
exists and can be used to satisfy beneficial consumptive use requests of mainstream users in other
Lower Division States as provided in the 1964 U.S, Supreme Court Decree in Ari=ona \" California
(Decree), and the Interim Surplus Guidelines.

December 13. 2001

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