***Notices for the latest release changes are posted HERE.***
***Road closure updates for Navajo Dam drilling will be updated HERE as information is available. Also please check closure information through NMDOT.***
Current Status
Last Updated: July 3rd, 2024
Navajo Reservoir - On July 2nd, the daily average release rate from Navajo Dam was 330 cfs while reservoir inflow was averaging 2,800 cfs. The water surface elevation was 6053.35 feet above sea level. At this elevation the live storage is 1.21 maf (73 percent of live storage capacity) and the active storage is 0.585 maf (57 percent of active storage capacity). Diversions to Cutter Reservoir for the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project (NIIP) and the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project (NGWSP) were 440 cfs. The San Juan-Chama project was diverting 400 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 6052.8 ft of pool elevation and 1.20 maf of live storage (0.577 maf of active storage) by the end of June, which was 86 percent of average for the end of the month. The release averaged 340 cfs and totaled 20.3 kaf, which was 17 percent of average for the month. Preliminary modified unregulated inflow (MUI) into Navajo was 128 kaf, which was 67 percent of average for the month. Calculated evaporation for the month was 3.9 kaf. NIIP diverted a total of 36.5 kaf. Navajo had a net storage change of +35.2 kaf in June.
The most probable MUI forecast for July, August, and September is 27 kaf (56 percent of average), 10 kaf (30 percent of average), and 18 kaf (52 percent of average), respectively.
The official April-July forecasts are as follows:
MIN: 435 kaf (69 percent of average, an increase of 95 kaf from the June official forecast)
MOST: 440 kaf (70 percent of average, an increase of 40 kaf from the June official forecast)
MAX: 460 kaf (73 percent of average, a decrease of 20 kaf from the June official forecast)
The reservoir is expected to peak near 6052.5 ft in the coming weeks.
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 in August 20th at 1:00 PM. This meeting is open to the public, and will be held at the Farmington Civic Center, 200 West Arrington, in Farmington, New Mexico (subject to change based on guidance at the time). The meeting will also have a virtual option.
Contact
Please contact the Operations Group via e-mail at ResourceMgr@usbr.gov for additional information.
