Current Status
Last Updated: September 8th, 2023
***Notices for the latest release changes are posted here.***
Navajo Reservoir - On September 7th the daily average release rate from Navajo Dam was 800 cfs while reservoir inflow was averaging 157 cfs. The water surface elevation was 6050.88 feet above sea level. At this elevation the live storage is 1.18 maf (72 percent of live storage capacity) and the active storage is 554 maf (54 percent of active storage capacity). An average of 534 cfs is currently being diverted to Cutter Reservoir for the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project (NIIP). Due to streamflows below minimum bypass, 0 cfs is being diverted to the San Juan-Chama Project (SJC) above Navajo Reservoir. So far this calendar year, NIIP has diverted 177 kaf and SJC has diverted 144 kaf.
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).
Preliminary modified unregulated inflow (MUI) into Navajo in August was -3.1 kaf. When the MUI is negative, it indicates a large proportion of loss from upper reservoir releases downstream. Observed inflow to Navajo was 23 kaf. The release averaged 690 cfs and totaled 42.3 kaf, which was 87 percent of average for the month. The total April-July modified unregulated inflow into Navajo was 1,028 kaf (164 percent of average).
The most probable MUI forecast for September, October, and November, is 9 kaf (26% of average), 30 kaf (78% of average), and 31 kaf (116% 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 on Tuesday, January 16th 2024 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.
