***Notices for the latest release changes are posted HERE.***
***Road closure updates for Navajo Dam drilling will be updated HERE as information is available. Also please check closure information through NMDOT.***
Current Status
Last Updated: December 3rd, 2024
Navajo Reservoir - On December 3rd, at 0900, the release was reduced from from 600 cfs to 350 cfs. Reservoir inflow was averaging 334 cfs. The water surface elevation was 60.9.92 feet above sea level. At this elevation the live storage was 1.06 maf (64 percent of live storage capacity) and the active storage is 0.434 maf (42 percent of active storage capacity). Diversions to Cutter Reservoir for the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project (NIIP) and the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project (NGWSP) have ceased for the year. SNOTEL stations above Navajo Reservoir are showing 128 percent of median with 5.92 inches on this date. To adhere to bypass flows set by the State of Colorado in the tributaries above Navajo Reservoir, the San Juan-Chama project was not diverting.
Releases from Navajo Dam are made for authorized purposes of the Navajo Unit and are pursuant to the Record of Decision for the Navajo Reservoir Operations. Releases target the San Juan River Recovery Implementation Program's (SJRIP) recommended downstream baseflow range of 500 cfs to 1,000 cfs through the critical habitat reach of the San Juan River (Farmington, NM to Lake Powell).
Navajo was at 6040.1 ft of pool elevation and 1,06 maf, or 64 percent of live storage (0.435 maf, or 43 percent of active storage) by the end of November, which was 82 percent of average for the end of the month. The release averaged 510 cfs and totaled 30.4 kaf, which was 110 percent of average for the month. Preliminary modified unregulated inflow (MUI) into Navajo was 28.7 kaf, which was 107 percent of average for the month. Calculated evaporation for the month was 759 af. NIIP did not divert in November. Navajo had a net storage change of -10.5 kaf in November.
Reclamation began fulfilling a request to release the second block of the Jicarilla Apache Nation (JAN) subcontracted water that has been leased to the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission (NMISC) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) for calendar year 2024 on November 18th. The total volume of JAN subcontracted water for this release is 10 kaf, which is being released over the base release for normal operations. This operation concluded on December 3rd.
The most probable MUI forecast for December, January, and February is 22 kaf (106 percent of average), 21 kaf (105 percent of average), and 22 kaf (81 percent of average), respectively. The release is expected to remain at its current level of 350 cfs throughout the remainder of the winter.
Reclamation conducts Public Operations Meetings three times per year to gather input for determining upcoming operations for Navajo Reservoir. Input from individuals, organizations, and agencies along with other factors such as weather, water rights, endangered species requirements, flood control, hydro power, recreation, fish and wildlife management, and reservoir levels, will be considered in the development of these reservoir operation plans. In addition, the meetings are used to coordinate activities and exchange information among agencies, water users, and other interested parties concerning the San Juan River and Navajo Reservoir. The next meeting will be held January 21st, 2025 at 1:00 PM in a virtual format.
Susan Behery
sbehery@usbr.gov
Contact
Please contact the Operations Group via e-mail at ResourceMgr@usbr.gov for additional information.
