***ALERT: New Mexico Highway 511 over Navajo Dam will be closed to two-way traffic Jan. 13 to May 20. Temporary traffic signals will be installed to manage alternating one-way traffic through the closure zone to ensure safety and maintain traffic flow. An exploratory drilling project is ongoing on the dam face. Notice posted HERE.***
***Notices for the latest release changes are posted HERE.***
Current Status
Navajo Reservoir – On January 8, 2026, the daily average release rate from Navajo Dam was 300 cfs. The water surface elevation was 6033.5 feet above sea level. At this elevation the live storage is 0.994 maf (60 percent of live storage capacity). Diversions to Cutter Reservoir for the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project (NIIP) and the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project (NGWSP) were 0 cfs. The San Juan-Chama project was diverting 0 cfs from the basin above Navajo Reservoir.
Releases from Navajo Dam are made for authorized purposes of the Navajo Unit and are pursuant to the Record of Decision for the Navajo Reservoir Operations. Releases target the San Juan River Recovery Implementation Program's (SJRIP) recommended downstream baseflow range of 500 cfs to 1,000 cfs through the critical habitat reach of the San Juan River (Farmington, NM to Lake Powell).
Navajo was at 6033.4 ft of pool elevation and 0.990 maf of live storage by the end of December, which was 60 percent of average for the end of the month. The release averaged 300 cfs and totaled 17.4 kaf, which was 60 percent of average for the month. Preliminary modified unregulated inflow (MUI) into Navajo was 25.6 kaf, which was 124 percent of average for the month. Calculated evaporation for the month was 0.5 kaf. NIIP diverted a total of 0 kaf. Navajo had a net storage change of +2.6 kaf during the last month.
The most probable MUI forecast for January, February, March is 22 kaf (110 percent of average), 23 kaf (85 percent of average), and 55 kaf (67 percent of average), respectively.
Reclamation conducts Public Operations Meetings three times per year to gather input for determining upcoming operations for Navajo Reservoir. 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. The next meeting will be held virtually on January 27th at 1-3pm. Email cfelletter@usbr.gov for a meeting invite.
Conor Felletter
cfelletter@usbr.gov
Contact
Please contact the Operations Group via e-mail at ResourceMgr@usbr.gov for additional information.
