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 August 20th, 2024, in a hybrid format. Full documentation is available to download below in the Archives in PDF form.

  • Inflows for Water Year 2024 have been below average. For Navajo Reservoir in particular, the April through July modified unregulated inflow was 71% of average.
  • The reservoir peaked on July 4th with a pool elevation of 6,053.46 ft, approximately 10 ft below the average peak.
  • The reservoir is expected to end the water year (September 30th) between 6039 and 6049 ft (between 63 and 70% full).
  • The models for the next six months show above average temperatures and below average precipitation, which is consistent with La Niña conditions.
  • Most basins got to average snow water equivalent, but the low soil moisture, in part, led to below-average runoff volumes.
  • The New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission (NMISC) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) are requesting a release of 10,000 acre-feet of their subcontracted water from the Jicarilla Apache Nation (JAN) in early winter to study the effects of backwater habitats on species in the San Juan River

Next Meeting:

January 21, 2025 (tentative).  The January meeting will be entirely virtual this year to eliminate issues related to weather and travel.  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