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

days that Glen Canyon responded to the stage III power emergencies, there was insufficient
available generation capacity on the interconnected power system.

I

During water year 2002, releases greater than the minimum release objective of 8.23 MAF
(10,152 MCM) will likely be made to avoid anticipated spills and/or to equalize the storage
between Lakes Powell and 1>.lead, Under the most probable inflow conditions, releases of9.57
MAF (11,800 MCl\-1) will be made, while under the probable maximum inflow scenario,
approximately 12A MAF (15,300 MCM) mil be released Underlhe minimum probable inflow
scenario, or under a scenario of below average inflow where projected September 30, 2002 Lake
Powell storage is less than that of Lake Mead, the minimum release objective of 8.23 MAF
(10,152 MCM) will be maintained. Because of less than full storage conditions in Lake Powell,
resulting from two consecutive years of below normal runoff, releases above powerplant capacity
are not likely in 2002. Nonetheless, should 2002 be a year v.rith very high inflow, releases above
powerplant capacity are still possible. Such releases would be made consistent with the 1956
Colorado River Storage Project Act, the 1968 Colorado River Basin Project Act, and the 1992
Grand Canyon Protection Act. Reservoir releases in excess ofpowerplant capacity required for
dam safety purposes during high reservoir conditions may be used to accomplish the objectives
of the BeachfHabitat Building Flow according to the terms contained in the Glen Canyon Dam
ROD, and as published in the Glen Canyon Dam Operating Criteria (62 Federal Register 9447,
MaL 3, 1997),

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

Releases from Lake Powell in water year 2002 will continue to reflect consideration of the uses
and purposes identified in the authorizing legislation for Glen Canyon Dam, Powerplant releases
and Beach/Habitat Building Flows will reflect criteria based on the findings, conclusions, and
recommendations made in the ROD for the GCDFEIS pursuant to the Grand Canyon Protection
Act of 1992. As discussed in the Interim Surplus Guidelines Record of Decision, an experimental
flow program is being considered by the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program. In
2002, the Adaptive Management Work Group may forward recommendations, required by the
Interim Surplus Guidelines Record of Decision, on this matter for the Secretary's consideration.

I

I

I

Daily and hourly releases ",ill continue to be made according to the parameters of the ROD for
the GCDFEIS preferred alternative, and the Glen Canyon Dam Operating Criteria, as shown in
Table 3. Exceptions to these parameters may be made during power system emergencies, or for
purposes of humanitarian search and rescue.

I

I

I
I

I

October 15. 200 1

12

I