Navajo Dam Technical Working Group

Navajo Dam

Purpose and Participation

The meeting was in-person at the Farmington Civic Center with a virtual option via Microsoft Teams. An operations and activities report from the meeting was emailed along with slides, and is available to download below in the archives.

The purpose of these meetings, held annually in January, April, and August, is to gather stakeholder input for determining upcoming operations for Navajo Reservoir. This input is used in Reclamation’s development of an overall 24-month study for operation of Reclamation projects in the Upper Colorado River Basin, which includes plans for Glen Canyon, Flaming Gorge, Aspinall Unit and Navajo. 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.

Summary

The meeting was held on April 23rd, 2024, in a hybrid format. Full documentation is available to download below in the Archives in PDF form.

  • There is no spring peak release planned for this year.
  • Snow accumulation so far in Water Year 2024 has, on the whole, been near but just below average. There is at least one more storm that will increase the snowpack at high elevations.
  • Soil moisture conditions are below average, generally 50 to 70% below average. Soil moisture, along with spring weather and other factors, can have significant effects on the runoff efficiency. 
  • The most recent April-July runoff forecast of the year has a range of 320 kaf (51% of average) to 615 kaf (98% of average) with a median forecast of 410 kaf (65% of average).   
  • Reservoir is expected to peak between 6,050 and 6,060 ft, but this exact number depends on the timing of snowmelt.
  • The NMISC and TNC have requested JAN subcontracted water to be released in late summer and early winter to study the effects of backwater habitats on species in the San Juan River. Details can be found in the last section of this document.

Next Meeting:

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, August (date TBD) at 1:00 PM. This meeting is currently planned to be held in-person with a virtual option. Please contact sbehery@usbr.gov for questions or updates. Visit the Navajo Dam website at https://www.usbr.gov/uc/water/crsp/cs/nvd.html for operational updates.

 

 

 


Supporting Information