Western Colorado Area Office

This meeting was held in Farmington, New Mexico at the Civic Center. The meeting minutes, as mailed, as well as the meeting handouts are available in the archives. Meeting attendance is shown on the archived minutes.

The purpose of these meetings held annually in January, April, and August, -- is to gather input for determining upcoming operations for Navajo Reservoir. This input is used in Reclamation’s development of an overall 24-month study for operation of Reclamation projects in the Upper Colorado River Basin, which includes plans for Glen Canyon, Flaming Gorge, Aspinal Unit and Navajo. Input from individuals, organizations, and agencies along with other factors such as weather, water rights, endangered species requirements, flood control, hydro power, recreation, fish and wildlife management and reservoir levels, will be considered in the development of these reservoir operation plans. In addition, the meetings are used to coordinate activities and exchange information among agencies, water users, and other interested parties concerning the San Juan River and Navajo Reservoir.

A dry fall with below normal precipitation was followed by a very wet December that saw over 200% of average precipitation for the month.  Then a return to a drier, below average weather pattern persisted in the months of January, February, and March.  April is expected to be near average.

The San Juan Basin snowpack is currently at 88% of average, and has remained below average from the first of March.  The snowpack was above average during the first months of winter.  Inflow into Navajo Reservoir has been below average for all months in Water Year 2009 to date.

The Mid-April Most Probable April – July Inflow Forecast is 720,000 acre-feet or 93 percent of average.  This forecast has been steadily declining since the first forecast was issued in January, except for a slight increase from the April forecast.

This year, Navajo Reservoir is at a more manageable elevation and will not likely require additional releases greater than the maximum spring peak release, as outlined in the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program (SJRIP) Flow Recommendations.  The base release will continue at 500 cfs until the spring peak release starts.

In compliance with the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program (SJRIP) Flow Recommendations, a modified 2-week spring peak release is planned.  This release, beginning on May 20th consists of approximately a one week ramp up, followed by a 13 day peak of 5,000 cfs, followed by approximately a one week ramp down.  A base release of 500 cfs is expected to be reached by June 18th. This schedule may be adjusted as new forecasts are received.  Additional updates on releases will be sent if changes occur.  For information regarding the spring peak release it will be posted online at www.usbr.gov/uc/wcao/water/rsvrs/notice/nav_rel.html.

Based on the most probable forecasts and a 2-weeek spring peak release, peak flows in the critical habitat area are anticipated to reach near 7000 cfs at the first of June this year, however, peak flows are subject to many factors and are difficult to predict.

After the spring peak, releases will be adjusted throughout the summer and fall as necessary in order to meet the SJRIP Flow Recommendations which call for a 7-day moving mean target base flow of between 500 cfs and 1,000 cfs in the critical habitat area (Farmington to Lake Powell).

Navajo Reservoir is currently at an elevation of 6057.76, which is 96% of the historical average.  Storage is at 1,320,000 acre-feet, which is 78% of capacity.  Inflows have increased throughout the month of April to a maximum of 2900 cfs on April 25th.  Releases continue at 500 cfs where they have been since the beginning of the water year.  NIIP began diverting water in March, with a maximum diversion of 580 cfs.  The San Juan-Chama Diversion has been increasing up to 763 cfs on April 25th.

Ten major New Mexico water users in the San Juan River Basin developed water sharing recommendations for the years of 2009 - 2012.  Three of the ten parties have endorsed the recommendations.  The Fish & Wildlife Service plan to discuss the recommendations at the SJRIP Coordination Committee meeting in Durango on May 15, 2009.  Based on the current forecast, a shortage is not anticipated this year.

Routine maintenance is expected for this year.  Gate inspections will continue after the peak release.  Mucking out of the stilling basin is scheduled for late 2009 or 2010.  Replacement of the penstock bolts is scheduled for 2010.

Bureau of Reclamation –Public Law 111.11 extends period of construction capital projects to 2012.  This increases the cost of SJRIP by $12 mil for San Juan Project.The Navajo-Gallup Pipeline project still needs the environmental impact statement to be completed.  Additional funding has been appropriated to assist on this project.

NM Congressionals – expressed interest in San Juan River issues.

New Mexico State Engineer - gauging stations are up and running. Jewett Valley gage vandalized but since repaired.

Navajo Nation Emergency Management – works with the Navajo Nation to assist homeowner near the San Juan River in preventing flooding.

City of Farmington – turbine inspection at power plant has been completed.  Now ready for full capacity.

Soaring Eagle Lodge –government has appropriated money for rehabilitation for fish habitat projects.

Corp of Engineers –ready for weekly conference call from Bureau during spring peak release. 

Scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at the Civic Center in Farmington, New Mexico (200 West Arrington Street).

Meeting Minutes (Portable Document Format (PDF)): View these minutes as mailed (includes attendance list)