From email from Reclamation (Susan Novak Behery):
BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
NAVAJO UNIT FORECAST FOR
SPRING OPERATIONS
May 9, 2023
High snowpack in the San Juan River Basin this year has led to an above-average inflow forecast into the Navajo Reservoir. The latest most probable inflow forecast from the Colorado Basin River Forecast Center has increased to 160% of average inflows due to snowmelt runoff from April through July.
The forecast now allows for a spring peak release as recommended by the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program (SJRIP). The release will ramp up slowly, peaking at 5,000 cfs for 21 days before ramping back down. The currently planned schedule is below. As this operation is entirely dependent on weather, inflows, and on-the-ground conditions, please stay tuned for updates and changes.
The current schedule for planned changes is below. A notice will be sent out prior to each release change.
Date Day End of Day Release (cfs) Notes 5/9/2023 Tue 500 5/13/2023 Sat 800 5/15/2023 Mon 1200 5/18/2023 Thu 2000 Begin ramp up 5/19/2023 Fri 3000 5/22/2023 Mon 4000 5/23/2023 Tue 4600 5/24/2023 Wed 4800 5/25/2023 Thu 5000 Hold at 5,000 cfs for 21 days 6/14/2023 Wed 4800 Begin ramp down 6/15/2023 Thu 4500 6/16/2023 Fri 4000 6/17/2023 Sat 3000 6/18/2023 Sun 2800 6/19/2023 Mon 2500 6/20/2023 Tue 2000 6/21/2023 Wed 1500 6/22/2023 Thu 1200 6/23/2023 Fri 1000 6/24/2023 Sat 800 6/25/2023 Sun 500 This operation is subject to changes in river flows and weather conditions and will be coordinated daily with local, state, and federal agencies to ensure objectives are met in a safe manner.
Areas in the immediate vicinity of the river channel may be unstable and dangerous. Please use extra caution near the river channel and protect or remove any valuable property in these areas.
For more information, please see the following resources below:
Bureau of Reclamation:
- Susan Behery, Hydrologic Engineer, Reclamation Western Colorado Area Office: sbehery@usbr.gov or 970-385-6560
- Navajo Dam website: https://www.usbr.gov/uc/water/crsp/cs/nvd.html
- Navajo Dam Release Notices: https://www.usbr.gov/uc/wcao/water/rsvrs/notice/nav_rel.html
- Colorado River Basin Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/coloradoriverbasin
San Juan County, New Mexico, Office of Emergency Management:
- Website: https://www.sjcoem.net
- SJOEM River Page: https://www.sjcounty.net/river
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/oemsjc
San Juan County, Utah, Office of Emergency Management:
- Website: https://sanjuancounty.org/emergency-management
- San Juan County Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SanJuanUtah/
Navajo Nation Department of Emergency Management:
- Website: https://ndem.navajo-nsn.gov/
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/nndem2020/