News Release Archive

Reclamation to Release 2017 Annual Operating Plan for Rio Grande Project

Media Contact: Mary Carlson, (505)462-3576, mcarlson@usbr.gov

For Release: April 11, 2017

Who: Bureau of Reclamation What: Release of Annual Operating Plan for the Rio Grande Project When: Tuesday, April 18, 2017, at 10 a.m. Where: Elephant Butte Lake State Park, Richard Cooper Boat Safety Training Center, Hwy 195 (Just Southeast of main Elephant Butte Lake State Park entrance). 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 Carlson at (505) 462-3576 with any questions. If you are unable to attend, but would like a copy of the presentation, please e-mail Mary at mcarlson@usbr.gov for a link to the presentation following the meeting. Background: The Bureau of Reclamation invites the public to a presentation to explain plans for water operations on the Rio Grande Project in 2017. Snowpack is above average in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. However, Reclamation is starting this irrigation season with Elephant Butte about 100,000 acre-feet below where it was at this time last year. The presentation will cover the process for determining the plan for water operations. It will include a review of the 2016 water predictions, as compared to actual storage and releases. Presenters will then explain the 2017 water forecast, potential for storage and release.

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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.