***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: February 10th, 2025
Navajo Reservoir - On February 6th the release was 360 cfs. Reservoir inflow was averaging 213 cfs. The water surface elevation was 6037.60 feet above sea level. At this elevation the live storage was 1,036 kaf (63 percent of live storage capacity) and the active storage is 410 kaf (40 percent of active storage capacity). Diversions to Cutter Reservoir for the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project (NIIP) and the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project (NGWSP) are 0 cfs. The San Juan-Chama project was not diverting from the basin above Navajo Reservoir. SNOTEL stations above Navajo Reservoir are showing 54 percent of median with 7.06 inches on this date.
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 6037.8 ft of pool elevation and 1,038 kaf, or 63 percent of live storage (412 kaf, or 40 percent of active storage) by the end of January, which was 81 percent of average for the end of the month.
The release averaged 360 cfs and totaled 21.8 kaf, which was 78 percent of average for the month. Preliminary modified unregulated inflow (MUI) into Navajo was 10.1 kaf, which was 51 percent of average for the month. Calculated evaporation for the month was 517 af. NIIP did not divert in January. Navajo had a net storage change of -14.7 kaf in January.
The most probable inflow forecast for February, March, and April is 17 kaf, (63 percent of average), 35 kaf (43 percent of average), and 68 kaf (46 percent of average), respectively.
The April-July runoff forecast is as follows:
MIN: 220 kaf (35 percent of avg, a decrease of 100 kaf since the January forecast)
MOST: 355 kaf (57 percent of avg, a decrease of 135 kaf since the January forecast)
MAX: 585 kaf (93 percent of avg, a decrease of 305 kaf since the January forecast)
The release is expected to remain between 350 and 400 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 Tuesday, April 22nd at 1:00 PM. This meeting is open to the public, and will be held at the Farmington Civic Center, 200 West Arrington, in Farmington, New Mexico. The meeting will also have a virtual option.
Susan Behery
sbehery@usbr.gov
Contact
Please contact the Operations Group via e-mail at ResourceMgr@usbr.gov for additional information.
