Water levels on the San Juan River

BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
NAVAJO RESERVOIR RELEASES
March 6, 2008

SENT VIA FAX AND E-MAIL


Based on its March 1st forecast, the Colorado Basin River Forecast
Center is predicting an inflow of 1,400,000 acre-feet (af) into Navajo
Reservoir this spring/early summer. This is an increase of
approximately 100,000 af over the previous (mid-February) forecast, and
correlates to 181% of the average inflow. As a result, the Bureau of
Reclamation will be increasing the release from Navajo Reservoir to
4,000 cfs on Monday, March 10, 2008. The release will likely remain
at 4,000 cfs until late May, at which time the release will be increased
to 5,000 cfs where it will remain until approximately mid- to late-July.
More information will be provided on the timing and duration of the
5,000 cfs release as we get closer to May.

Releases are made for the authorized purposes of the Navajo Unit, and
to attempt to meet flow recommendations for the endangered fish in the
San Juan River. If you have any questions, please contact Pat Page at
(970) 385-6560 or e-mail him at ppage@uc.usbr.gov.

So much for my May trip during baetis season.

Anyone fishing it right now?

Rawthumb -

No, I'm not and have never fished the San Juan. ( Don't even fish San Juan worms, for that matter. )

But I did google San Juan River and looked at the websites of a couple guide services down there. There are folks fishing it since it came up to 4000 CFS, just using different approaches than when it is at the low flows.

Also, I think it would be highly unlikely that the BOR could get away with anything that would jeopardize the fishery or fishing the stretch of water below Navajo dam, even if they wanted to. It would cause a water war of a different kind, and it would be messy.

Suggest you contact a couple of the guide services to see if what they are recommending during these high flows is a kind of fishing you enjoy. If it is, go to it. If not, there are lots of other places to fish that time of year.

Good luck and good fishing.

John

It's going to 5,000 cf by May. That's way too high to have fun wading and fishing. Although it could be done, it's not worth the money, I can better spend it doing something else.

At 180% of typical snowpack, the BOR has to send that water downstream now in anticipation of the runoff, and it will still be high during runoff. Las Vegas will be happy, that water will bring Powell back up and then Meade.

Raw -

Your original post indicated that it would stay at 4000 CFS until late May. Seems like a couple phone calls would help in the decision making process, assuming you haven't already made them ??

Anyway, best of luck finding some water you will enjoy with some willing fish !!

John

It is a different river at that flow, but you CAN fish it, and do so safely. Just get back in the edge water, in the braids, and stay where you can see what you are doing. Forget the main channel. And play it safe.

That river needs some serious high flows to stir things up again. Could use some gravel, too, IMO.

Winter storm warning tonight for the Colorado mountains, so add a little bit to that snowpack...