***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: October 3rd, 2024
Navajo Reservoir - On October 1st, the daily average release rate from Navajo Dam was 656 cfs while reservoir inflow was averaging 462 cfs. The water surface elevation was 6042.58 feet above sea level. At this elevation the live storage is 1.09 maf (66 percent of live storage capacity) and the active storage is 0.462 maf (45 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 322 cfs. The San Juan-Chama project was diverting 6 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 6042.7 ft of pool elevation and 1.09 maf of live storage (0.462 maf of active storage) by the end of September, which was 84 percent of average for the end of the month. The release averaged 680 cfs and totaled 40.2 kaf, which was 89 percent of average for the month. Preliminary modified unregulated inflow (MUI) into Navajo was 19.1 kaf, which was 55 percent of average for the month. Calculated evaporation for the month was 2.4 kaf. NIIP diverted a total of 22.1 kaf in September. Navajo had a net storage change of -31.1 kaf in September.
The most probable MUI forecast for October, November, and December is 18 kaf (47 percent of average), 23 kaf (86 percent of average), and 22 kaf (106 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 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.
