FLAMING GORGE
Unregulated inflow into Flaming Gorge Reservoir during the month of May 135,000 acre-feet (af), or 55 percent of average. Flaming Gorge Dam is releasing power plant capacity (~4,500 cubic feet per second (cfs)) and beginning on June 7th, releases will be reduced at a rate of 350 cfs/day to an average daily release of 1,100 cfs by June 16, 2013, according to the schedule below. Please see the linked schedule for the hourly fluctuation patterns.
DATE |
Release (cfs) |
06/04/2013 |
4,150 |
06/08/2013 |
3,800 |
06/09/2013 |
3,450 |
06/10/2013 |
3,100 |
06/11/2013 |
2,750 |
06/12/2013 |
2,400 |
06/13/2013 |
2,050 |
06/14/2013 |
1,700 |
06/15/2013 |
1,350 |
06/16/2013 |
1,100 |
Forecasts remain below average and Flaming Gorge Dam is in the moderately dry hydrologic classification as outlined in the February 2006 Record of Decision - Operation of Flaming Gorge Dam Final Environmental Impact Statement. The Colorado Basin River Forecast Center has issued the official June water supply forecast for the April through July unregulated inflow volume which is 440,000 af or 45 percent of the 1981-2010 thirty-year average. The spring hydrologic classification is officially in the moderately dry classification and Reclamation is currently operating in the moderately dry hydrologic classification.
JUNE RELEASES AND OPERATIONS
Field personnel indicate that the managed nursery habitat will be closed on or around June 7, 2013. Additionally, the Larval Trigger Study Plan moderately dry duration target of seven days above 8,300 cfs during larval presence will be met on June 7, 2013. Therefore, Flaming Gorge Dam releases will be reduced from power plant capacity (~4,500 cfs) at a rate of 350 cfs/day to an average daily release rate of 1,100 cfs by June 16, 2013, according to the schedule above.
Beginning June 16th, releases from Flaming Gorge will remain at an average daily release rate of 1,100 cfs and follow the hourly release pattern in the attached schedule for June 16th until further notice. Current projections for the average daily release from Flaming Gorge for the period between June and September 30, 2013, range between 820 cfs to 1,100 cfs. Average daily releases are anticipated to decrease beginning October 1, 2013 to steady releases of 820 cfs depending on current and forecasted river conditions at that time. Projected releases are provisional and subject to change.
To view the most current reservoir elevation, content, inflow and release, click on: Flaming Gorge Reservoir Data.
USGS streamgage data for: (1) the Yampa River at Deerlodge Park and (2) the Green River near Jensen.
CBRFC forecast data for: (1) the Yampa River at Deerlodge Park and (2) the Green River near Jensen.
SPRING PEAK RELEASE
The experimental releases made beginning on May 29th as part of a cooperative experimental program to benefit endangered razorback sucker in the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam has concluded for water year 2013.
WORKING GROUP MEETING
The next Flaming Gorge Working Group meeting is scheduled for August 21, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at the new Utah Department of Natural Resources building in Vernal, Utah, located at 318 North Vernal Avenue. The Flaming Gorge Working Group is an open public forum for information exchange between Reclamation and the stake holders of Flaming Gorge Dam. The public is encouraged to attend and comment on the operations and plans presented by Reclamation at these meetings. For more information on this group and these meetings please contact Ed Vidmar at 801-379-1182.
The April 24, 2013 Flaming Gorge Working Group summary has been posted online and can be accessed on the Working Group pages.
Updated June 6, 2013
Heather E. Hermansen
Email comments/inquires to: ResourceMgr@usbr.gov