***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: January 13th, 2024
Navajo Reservoir - On January 12th, the release was 350 cfs. Reservoir inflow was averaging 144 cfs. The water surface elevation was 6038.75 feet above sea level. At this elevation the live storage was 1.05 maf (64 percent of live storage capacity) and the active storage is 0.421 maf (41 percent of active storage capacity). Diversions to Cutter Reservoir for the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project (NIIP) and the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project (NGWSP) are 0 cfs. The San Juan-Chama project was not diverting from the basin above Navajo Reservoir. SNOTEL stations above Navajo Reservoir are showing 68 percent of median with 6.53 inches on this date.
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 6039.2 ft of pool elevation and 1.05 maf, or 64 percent of live storage (0.426 maf, or 42 percent of active storage) by the end of December, which was 82 percent of average for the end of the month.
The release averaged 360 cfs and totaled 22.3 kaf, which was 78 percent of average for the month. Preliminary modified unregulated inflow (MUI) into Navajo was 18.2 kaf, which was 88 percent of average for the month. Calculated evaporation for the month was 521 af. NIIP did not divert in December. Navajo had a net storage change of -9.1 kaf in December.
The most probable inflow forecast for January, February, and March is 19 kaf, (95 percent of average), 20 kaf (74 percent of average), and 45 kaf (55 percent of average), respectively.
The April-July runoff forecast is as follows:
MIN: 320 kaf (51 percent of avg)
MOST: 490 kaf (78 percent of avg)
MAX: 890 kaf (142 percent of avg)
The release is expected to remain at its current level of 350 cfs throughout the remainder of the winter.
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 January 21st, 2025 at 1:00 PM in a virtual format.
Susan Behery
sbehery@usbr.gov
Contact
Please contact the Operations Group via e-mail at ResourceMgr@usbr.gov for additional information.