[Awclist] Snowmelt Runoff and Water Operations in 2006

[Sara Traub]

  Thought I'd pass this along FYI. 
   
  Sara Traub
  

The emails below confirm my fear that the Rio Grande runoff in NM is essentially finished.  Please see Steve Harris’s email and the reply from Rolf.   Rolf is the NM Interstate Stream Commission lead hydrologist for the Rio Grande.  

Chama will be good for a while, unless they close it due to fire danger.

San Juan will hit 1000 this weekend, looks like.  Better get it while its there!

Norm

  Hi All:

Unfortunately, as Steve has implied, the 2006 snowmelt runoff looks like it could approach the low levels we experienced in 2000 and 2002.   I was hoping the Sangre's would provide some runoff to the mainstem Rio Grande but, with a snowpack of 18 percent of average right now, that hope is receding. 

As an FYI, I don't think you all need to travel to Albuquerque for the AOP meeting because Reclamation will hold a similar meeting in northern New Mexico.  Leann Towne told me earlier this week that Reclamation will hold a meeting in Taos and another Chama (I think) after the April 17th Albuquerque meeting.  Leann, do you have dates, times, and locations set yet?

Rolf


River Friends:  The following meeting announcement offers an opportunity to find out how Reclamation intends to operate the river in the months ahead. You may have heard (or seen) by now, that the State of Colorado has made the bulk of its annual water deliveries and that flows at Lobatos are declining toward minimum. That Rio Chama reservoirs will be subject to Article VII Compact restrictions, beginning soon and persisting  for the forseeable future (perhaps years).    It is clear that water operations will impact both river recreation and ecology in 2006.   

PS.  In particular, Chama operations are critical to recreationists.  El Vado releases for MRGCD and minnow operations have already begun.  How they are carried out will determine the timing/availability of high-quality boating opportunities in NM this summer.  Following Rolf's lead, I would urge a further meeting between recreationists and managers to discuss/plan the river-running aspects of 2006 operations.

 
RECLAMATION
Albuquerque Area Office
Albuquerque, New Mexico

 

Media Contact: 

Mary Perea Carlson 505-462-3576 mperea at uc.usbr.gov

April 11, 2006

Media Advisory

Reclamation Releases 2006 Annual Operating Plan


Who:               Bureau of Reclamation

What:              Release of Annual Operating Plan for the Rio Grande

When:             April 17, 2006 at 6 p.m.

Where:            Indian Pueblo Cultural Center-Silver Room, 2401 12th St. NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Why:               To learn more about the process used for determining this year’s operating plan, water forecast, water storage, potential for water storage and release.

How:               Contact Mary Perea Carlson at (505) 462-3576 or (505)270-9565 with any questions. 

Background:

The Bureau of Reclamation and Army Corps of Engineers would like to invite the public to their annual meeting to explain plans for water operations along the Middle Rio Grande in 2006. The presentation will cover the process for determining the plan for water operations. It will include a review of the 2005 water predictions, reality, storage and release. The presenters will then explain the 2006 water forecast, potential for storage and release and impacts to water-related recreation.
  # # #
  Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western States. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit our website at www.usbr.gov <http://www.usbr.gov/> .

 




		
---------------------------------
New Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC and save big.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: /archives/awclist/attachments/20060415/97f71483/attachment.htm