WSP05551

• File Number: 822.600.10
• Description: Colorado River Annual Operating Plan - Annual Reports
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 1/1/2002
• Author: USDOI/BOR
• Title: Annual Operating Plan
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Annual Report

I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I

Fontenelle Restn-oir

Precipitation and ensuing runoff in the Upper Green River Basin during water year 200 I was
well below average. The April through July runoff into Fomenelle during water year 2001 was
0283 MAF (349 MCM), or 33 percent ofnorrnaL Inflow peaked at 4,400 efs (126 ems) on May
18,200 I. Releases in excess of powerplam capacity were not required from Fontenelle Reservoir
in 2001. Maximum releases in 2001 were powerplant capacity releases of approximately 1400
cfs (40 ems). Fontenelle Reservoir reached a peak elevation of6,484 8 feet (1,976.6 meters),
21.2 feet ( 6.5 meters) from the crest of the spillway. This occurred on June 20, 2001.

Because the mean annual inflow of 1.229 !\.-tAF (1,516 MCM) far exceeds Fontenelle's storage
capacity of 0.345 MAP (426 MCM), significant power plant bypasses are expected under the
most probable and maximum probable inflow scenarios, Additionally, there is little chance that
the reservoir will not fill during water year 2002. In order to minimize high spring releases, and
to maximize downstream resources and power production, the reservoir will most likely be drawn
down to minimum pool elevation, 6,463 feet (1,970,0 meters), which corresponds to a volume
of 0.093 MAF (115 MCM) of live slorage,

Flaming Gorge Resenroir

Inflow into Flaming Gorge was below average during water year 2001. April through July
unregulated inflow was 0.428 MAF (528 MC!\-l), or 36 percent of normal. This is the second
consecutive year of below average inflow. In water year 2000, April through July unregulated
inflow was only 47 percent of average. Flaming Gorge Reservoir did not fill in 200 I. The
reservoir reached a peak elevation of6,022.4 feet (1,835.6 meters) on May 12, 2001 (17.6 feet
from full),

Powerplant capacity releases of 4,600 cfs (130 ems) were made for a period of 1 week in May,
2001 as called for in the 1992 Final Biological Opinion on the Operation of Flaming Gorge.
These powerplant capacity releases were successfully timed to meet peak flows on the Yampa
River. The Yampa River peaked at approximately 9,800 cfs (278 ems) on May 18, 2001. Flows
on the Green River near Jensen, an important reach of the Green River for endangered fish.
peaked at about 14,800 ef, (419 ems) on May 19,2001.

In September 2000, a final report entitled "Flow and Temperature Recommendations for
Endangered Fishes in the Green River Dov.-"T1stream of Flaming Gorge Dam" (Flaming Gorge
Flow Recommendations) was published by the Upper Colorado River Recovery Program. The
report, prepared by a multi-disciplinary team, synthesizes research conducted on endangered fish
in the Green River under the Upper Colorado River Recovery Program and presents flow
recommendations for three reaches of the Green River. Reclamation is currently conducting a
National Em-ironmental Policy Act (1\'EP A) process on the implementation of an operation at
Flaming Gorge Dam that meets these flow recommendations. A Notice oCIntent to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was filed on June 6, 2000, in the Federal Register. The

October 15, 200 1

8