News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases First Annual Report of Operations for Flaming Gorge Dam

Media Contact: Doug Hendrix, (801) 524-3837, dhendrix@uc.usbr.gov
Stacey Carroll, scarroll@uc.usbr.gov

For Release: October 23, 2006

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) announced today that it has completed the first ever Annual Report of Operations for Flaming Gorge Dam under authority of the February 2006 Record of Decision (ROD). This is the first year of operations of Flaming Gorge Dam under the ROD.

The report details the operations of Flaming Gorge Dam during water year 2006 and includes, among other things, the operational decision process for the year, hydrologic conditions experienced in 2006, and an analysis of flow and temperature objectives achieved. The report is available on Reclamation's website at www.usbr.gov/uc/envdocs/reports/fg/annRep06.pdf.

Reclamation published a final environmental impact statement (EIS) on the operation of Flaming Gorge Dam in 2005. The EIS describes the potential effects of modifying the operation of Flaming Gorge Dam to assist in the recovery of four endangered fish, and their critical habitat, downstream from the dam. Reclamation signed the ROD in 2006 changing the operational regime for Flaming Gorge Dam. Under the ROD, Reclamation has modified the operation of Flaming Gorge Dam to achieve the flow and temperature objectives recommended by participants of the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program. Reclamation's goal under the ROD is to implement the flow and temperature objectives, to the extent possible, while still maintaining and continuing all authorized purposes of the Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP).

Flaming Gorge Dam, located on the Green River in northeastern Utah about 200 miles east of Salt Lake City, is an authorized storage unit of the CRSP. Flaming Gorge Dam was completed in 1962 and full operation of the dam and reservoir began in 1967. The powerplant, located at the base of the dam, began commercial operation in 1963 and was completed in 1964. Reclamation operates the dam and powerplant and the Western Area Power Administration markets the power.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.