[Awclist] Chama Flow Update

[Carlson, Mary P]

Good afternoon everyone.
My rafting report doesn't officially begin until the week before the Memorial Day weekend, but I'm sending this e-mail due to a large number of phone inquiries we've received over the last week or so.
We have experienced a very early spring runoff in northern New Mexico. In fact, it seems the Rio Chama has peaked earlier this year than it had in more than 50 years. So, flows are already down. We are still trying to store the last of the water we are allowed to store in El Vado Reservoir. And, the water for rafting releases is not available until Memorial Day Weekend. Right now flows on the Rio Chama are around 350 cfs. That may increase slightly over the coming week and could get up to around 500 cfs under the right conditions. However, we can't guarantee that. We will only bump up that release if the flows on the main-stem of the Rio Grande coming from Colorado continue to decrease. Rainfall in the Middle Rio Grande could also be a factor (If we actually get some). I know this isn't what most of you hope for in Rio Chama flows in May. However, we are dealing with some unusual circumstances. Thank you all for your patience. My regular rafting updates will begin on or around May 23. If you need more information before then, please shoot me an e-mail and I'll do my best to keep you in the loop.
Thanks,
Mary Carlson
Public Affairs Specialist
Bureau of Reclamation
Albuquerque Area Office
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