***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: November 4th, 2024
Navajo Reservoir - On November 3rd, the daily average release rate from Navajo Dam was 307 cfs while reservoir inflow averaged 484 cfs. The water surface elevation was 6041.10 feet above sea level. At this elevation the live storage is 1.07 maf (65 percent of live storage capacity) and the active storage is 0.446 maf (44 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. 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 6041.07 ft of pool elevation and 1.07 maf of live storage (0.446 maf of active storage) by the end of October, which was 82 percent of average for the end of the month. The release averaged 560 cfs and totaled 34.5 kaf, which was 100 percent of average for the month. Preliminary modified unregulated inflow (MUI) into Navajo was 24.4 kaf, which was 63 percent of average for the month. Calculated evaporation for the month was 1.5 kaf. NIIP diverted a total of 8.7 kaf in October. Navajo had a net storage change of -17.2 kaf in October.
The most probable MUI forecast for November, December, and January is 23 kaf (86 percent of average), 21 kaf (101 percent of average), and 20 kaf (100 percent of average), respectively.
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.
