WSP06774

• File Number: 8282.600.10
• Description: Colorado River Annual Operating Plan
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 12/14/1999
• Author: USDOI/BOR
• Title: 29th Annual Report and 2000 Annual Operating Plan for Colorado River System Reservoirs
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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INTRODUCI10N

Authority

This 2000 Annual Operating Plan (AOP) was developed in accordance with Section 602 of The
Colorado River Basin Project Act (publie Law 90-537), and the Criteriafor Coordinated Long-
Range Operation of Colorado River Reservoirs Pursuant to the Colorado River Basin Project
Act of September 30, 1968 (Operating Criteria), promulgated by the Secretary of the Interior
pursuant thereto and other applicable statutes, In accordance with The Colorado River Basin
Project Act and the Operating Criteria, the AOP must be developed and administered consistent
with applieable Federal laws, The Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and
of the Rio Grande, Treaty Between the United States of America andMexico, signed February 3,
1944 (1944 Mexican Water Treaty), interstate compacts, court deerees, and other documents
relating to the use of the waters of the Colorado River, which are eommonIy and colleetively
known as "The Law ofthe River."

The Operating Criteria and Section 602 of The Colorado River Basin Projeet Act mandates
consultation with representatives of the Govemors 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 of 1992 (Title XVIII
of Public Law 102-575) requires consultation to include the general public and others.
Aceordingly, the 2000 AOP was prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) in
consultation with the seven Basin States Governors' representatives; the Upper Colorado River
Commission; appropriate Federal agencies; representatives of the academic and scientific
communities, environmental organizations, and the reereation industry; water delivery
contractors; contractors for the purchase ofF ederal power; others interested in Colorado River
operations; and the general publie, through the Colorado River Management Work Group,

Purpose

The purposes of the AOP are to determine: (I) the projected operation of the Colorado River
reservoirs to satisfY projeet purposes under varying hydrologie and climatic conditions; (2) the
quantity of water considered necessary as of September 30, 2000, to be in storage in the Upper
Basin reservoirs as required by Section 602(a) of The Colorado River Basin Project Act; (3)
water available for delivery pursuant to the 1944 Mexican Water Treaty and Minute No. 242 of
the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico (IBWC); (4)
whether the reasonable consumptive use requirements of mainstream users in the Lower Division
States will be met under a "normal," "surplus," or "shortage" condition as outlined in Article III
of the Operating Criteria; and (5) whether water apportioned 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 Arizona v. California.

December 1, 1999

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