Navajo Reservoir –As a result of increased runoff in the San Juan River Basin, the Bureau of Reclamation decreased the release from Navajo Reservoir from 350 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 250 cfs on Tuesday, May 7th. Releases are made for the authorized purposes of the Navajo Unit, and to attempt to maintain a target base flow through the endangered fish critical habitat reach of the San Juan River (Farmington to Lake Powell). To see current and recent project notices for Navajo Reservoir, click on: Project Notices.
The San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program recommends a target base flow of between 500 cfs and 1,000 cfs through the critical habitat area. The target base flow is calculated as the weekly average of gaged flows throughout the critical habitat area.
As of May 9th, the San Juan River basin above Navajo snowpack is 37% of average snow water equivalent (SWE). For the Animas River Basin it is 36%. Precipitation for the month of April throughout the San Juan River basin ranged from 50% to 70% of average. The seasonal peak SWE above Navajo was reached on March 13th and was 13.9 inches (74% of average). Observed inflow into Navajo Reservoir during the month of April was 52,524 acre-feet. Modified-unregulated inflow volume was 71,104 af, which was 49% of average. Currently, the daily observed inflow is averaging 2000 cfs. NIIP is diverting 550 cfs per day (average of the past week). The reservoir water surface elevation is at 6023 feet, which corresponds to a storage content of about 939,500 acre-feet (55% full).
To view the most current reservoir elevation, content, inflow and release, click on: Navajo Reservoir Data.
The most probable modified unregulated inflow forecast for April through July at Navajo is 325,000 acre-ft (44% of average). The minimum probable modified unregulated inflow forecast for April through July at Navajo is 265,000 acre-ft (36% of average). The maximum probable modified unregulated inflow forecast for April through July at Navajo is 420,000 acre-ft (56% of average). No spring peak release will be conducted in 2013.
The most recent public meeting was held April 23rd, 2013 at 1:00 PM at the Civic Center in Farmington, New Mexico (200 West Arrington Street). At this meeting, a review of forecasted hydrology, and plans for this spring and summer 2013 operations were discussed. The next public meeting is scheduled for August 27th, 2013. These meetings are open forum discussions on the operation of Navajo Reservoir with many interested groups participating. Anyone interested in the general operation of the reservoir is encouraged to attend. Please contact Ryan Christianson in Reclamation's Durango, Colorado Office at (970) 385-6590 for information about these meetings or the daily operation of Navajo Reservoir.
To view minutes from the last Navajo Operations Meeting, click on: Meeting Notes.
Susan Behery
Updated May 9th, 2013
Email comments/inquires to: ResourceMgr@usbr.gov