***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: May 9th, 2024
Navajo Reservoir - On May 8th, the daily average release rate from Navajo Dam was 458 cfs while reservoir inflow was averaging 1599 cfs. The water surface elevation was 6045.63 feet above sea level. At this elevation the live storage is 1.21 maf (68 percent of live storage capacity) and the active storage is 0.495 maf (48 percent of active storage capacity). Diversions to Cutter Reservoir for the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project (NIIP) and the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project (NGWSP) were 533 cfs. The San Juan-Chama project was diverting 124 cfs from the basin above Navajo Reservoir.
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 6044.44 ft of pool elevation and 1.08 maf of live storage (0.482 maf of active storage) by the end of April, which was 82 percent of average for the end of the month. The release averaged 410 cfs and totaled 24.6 kaf, which was 47 percent of average for the month. Preliminary modified unregulated inflow (MUI) into Navajo was 119.5 af, which was 81 percent of average for the month. Calculated evaporation for the month was 2.1 kaf. NIIP diverted a total of 22.6 kaf. Navajo had a net storage change of +33.3 kaf in April.
The most probable MUI forecast for May, June, and July is 195 kaf (80 percent of average), 98 kaf (52 percent of average), and 7 kaf (15 percent of average), respectively.
The official April-July forecasts are as follows:
MIN: 320 kaf (51 percent of average, no change from the April official forecast)
MOST: 420 kaf (67 percent of average, no change from the April official forecast)
MAX: 615 kaf (98 percent of average, a decrease of 85 kaf from the April official forecast)
There are no plans for a spring peak release at Navajo Reservoir based on this forecast. The reservoir is expected to peak between 6050 and 6055 ft.
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 in August at a date TBD 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 (subject to change based on guidance at the time). The meeting will also have a virtual option.
Contact
Please contact the Operations Group via e-mail at ResourceMgr@usbr.gov for additional information.
