Western Colorado Area Office

Project Notices

Navajo Unit
Navajo Reservoir Releases
May 8, 2008

Due to decreasing inflow forecasts and after conferring with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the release pattern and duration of the spring peak release has been modified.

In the last Navajo Release Notification (dated May 5, 2008), we announced that the Bureau of Reclamation would begin ramping up the release from Navajo Reservoir beginning May 9, 2008. That scheduled change has been cancelled. Releases will continue at the present rate of 2,200 cubic feet per second (cfs) through the weekend of May 9th, 10th and 11th.

The release will be decreased from 2,200 cfs to 1,000 cfs on Monday, May 12th. The release will remain at 1,000 cfs until Monday, May 19th, when it will be increased to 2,000 cfs. The release will remain at 2,000 cfs until Friday, May 23rd, when it will be increased to 3,000 cfs. The release will remain at 3,000 cfs through Monday, May 26th. On Tuesday, May 27th, releases will be increased to 4,000 cfs and the following day, Wednesday, May 28th, releases will be increased to 5,000 cfs. Beginning on Thursday, June 19th, the release will begin to be gradually decreased until it reaches 500 cfs on Wednesday, July 2nd. The attached chart shows the daily release rates throughout the spring peak release period.

At various times throughout the spring peak release, the release will be temporarily reduced in order to accommodate required inspections of the outlet works. These inspections are tentatively planned to occur on June 10th, and the week of June 23rd. Additional notices will be provided in advance of each of these inspections.

Adjustments may be made to the spring peak release duration if the inflow forecasts change. Reclamation will provide updates to the release schedule if any changes occur. If you have any questions, please contact Pat Page at (970) 385-6560 or e-mail him at ppage@uc.usbr.gov.