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News Release Archive
Rapid Snow Melt Prompts Reclamation to Increase Release Out of El Vado Reservoir
Media Contact:
Mary Perea Carlson, (505) 462-3576, mcarlson@usbr.gov
For Release: May 08, 2009
The Bureau of Reclamation today increased the amount of water being released from El Vado Reservoir in preparation to receive more water from the rapidly melting snowpack.
This is the first time the release out of El Vado has been increased to around 6,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) since 1973, and only the second time since 1941. The average release from El Vado for this time of year is 1,370 cfs. Reclamation made the decision to release more water as the reservoir neared its capacity while continuing to receive an inflow of about 5,000 cfs. The forecast of continued high temperatures and a possible chance of rain over the weekend compounded the need to move water from the reservoir.
Residents of the properties directly downstream from El Vado Dam on the Rio Chama were notified of the change by Reclamation.
Anyone planning to use the Rio Chama below El Vado for recreation over the weekend should be cautious and aware of the higher than usual flows.
"We are moving this water as a precaution. We want to ensure that we have the room in the reservoir to receive the incoming flows," said Albuquerque Area Manager John Poland.
Reclamation has coordinated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and determined there is adequate space in the downstream Abiquiu Reservoir to capture the water. It will then be available in the coming weeks to augment runoff flows in the Middle Rio Grande. This will benefit the Rio Grande silvery minnow.
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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.
