Flaming Gorge Reservoir water used to support hydropower production at Glen Canyon Dam, Hoover Dam
12/15/2022 1:02:15 AM
CATEGORIES:
Energy
Relief, Response & Restrictions
Tourism & Recreation
Water Supply & Quality
AFFECTED AREAS:
Daggett County, UT
Sweetwater County, WY
Start Date: 12/14/2022
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The Flaming Gorge Reservoir may remain low for the near future, according to federal officials, leaving several boat ramps and docks out of the water and the shorelines exposed. An additional 500,000 acre-feet of water will be released from Flaming Gorge Reservoir through April to support hydropower production at Glen Canyon Dam and Hoover Dam. In addition to Flaming Gorge, Blue Mesa in Colorado and Navajo in New Mexico are also backup sources and could be called upon to release water.
Water levels at Flaming Gorge have been fairly regular for decades, but were at just 72% of capacity in November after an extra 125,000 acre-feet release in 2021 and the present “extra” release of 500,000 acre-feet from December 2022 through April 2023. In addition, runoff to refill Flaming Gorge has been lower than average at just 57% from April through July.
The lower water level makes it more difficult for boat launching. The ramp at the Anvil boat launch area on the west side of the reservoir in Wyoming was closed not too long ago.
Wyoming Business Report (Cheyenne, Wyo.), Dec 14, 2022
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