Difference between revisions of "GCDAMP- AOP"

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*'''Please find the following document enclosed “An Analysis of the Rapid Response High Flow Experiment – Implementation.”''''''[http://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/aop/ USBR LINK TO ANNUAL OPERATING PLAN]'''
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*'''Annual Operating Plan”''''''[http://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/aop/ USBR LINK TO ANNUAL OPERATING PLAN]'''
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* This analysis is provided to support Reclamation’s intention to implement a Rapid Response experiment as described in Reclamation’s “Final Environmental Assessment for the Development and Implementation of a Protocol for High-Flow Experimental Releases from Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona, 2001-2020” (EA). The experiment would time maximum powerplant releases at Glen Canyon Dam (GCD) with Paria River floods, primarily to help restore beach and backwater areas in Marble Canyon. However, concerns were raised in the EA, and additional follow up was needed before a test could be implemented. We hope that this document helps to answer some of the questions that Reclamation may have, specifically relating to operations.
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*Each year, the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) for Colorado River Reservoirs reports on both the past operations of the Colorado River reservoirs for the completed year as well as projected operations and releases from these reservoirs for the current (i.e., upcoming) year. Accordingly, the 2012 AOP reports on 2011 operations as well as projected operations for 2012.
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*In recent years, additional operational rules, guidelines, and decisions have been put into place for Colorado River reservoirs including the 1996 Glen Canyon Dam Record of Decision (ROD), the 1997 Operating Criteria for Glen Canyon Dam, the 1999 Off-stream Storage of Colorado River Water Rule (43 CFR Part 414), the 2001 Interim Surplus Guidelines addressing operation of Hoover Dam, the 2006 Flaming Gorge Dam ROD, the 2006 Navajo Dam ROD to implement recommended flows for endangered fish, the 2007 Interim Guidelines for the operations of Lake Powell and Lake Mead, and numerous environmental assessments addressing experimental releases from Glen Canyon Dam.
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*Each AOP incorporates these rules, guidelines, and decisions and implements the criteria contained in the applicable decision document or documents. Thus, the AOP makes projections and reports on how the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) will implement these decisions in response to changing water supply conditions as they unfold during the upcoming year, when conditions become known.
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*Congress has charged the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) with stewardship and responsibility for a wide range of natural, cultural, recreational, and tribal resources within the Colorado River Basin.  
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*The Secretary has the authority to operate and maintain Reclamation facilities within the Colorado River Basin addressed in this AOP to help manage these resources and accomplish their protection and enhancement in a manner fully consistent with applicable provisions of federal law including the Law of the River, and other project-specific operational limitations.
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*Monthly 24-Month Study Reports present hydrologic descriptions and projected operations for the Colorado River system reservoirs for the next two years. *The 24-Month Study Report is a combination of a write up of recent, current and potential future operations and a listing of the 24-Month Study computer model output. 
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*The 24-Month Study computer model projects future reservoir conditions and potential dam operations for the system reservoirs given existing reservoir conditions; inflow forecasts and projections; and a variety of operational policies and guidelines.
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*Monthly reservoir inflow forecasts and projections are produced by the National Weather Service, Colorado Basin River Forecast Center (CBRFC).
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The monthly reports can be accessed at:  [http://www.usbr.gov/uc/water/crsp/studies/index.html USBR 24 Month Studies LINK]
  
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The research described in this document:  
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'''[http://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/aop/ USBR LINK TO ANNUAL OPERATING PLAN]'''
  
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*    identifies how operationally Paria River flood events can be linked to maximum powerplant releases from GCD to induce sediment-enriched flows in Marble Canyon,
 
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*    describes how  Western can manipulate power schedules to facilitate a Rapid Response HFE and includes several examples,
 
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*    shows that Paria River floods can be adequately predicted and that a flood can be timed to be coincident with a flood reaching the mainstem,
 
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*    shows the types of pre-planning that will need to be in place, and
 
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*    shows what additional consideration will be needed, working with the NPS, related to safety issues for recreational users downstream.
 
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This research allows the authors to conclude that these flood events can be successfully timed with maximum powerplant flows at GCD to have similar stage as bypass assisted high flow events. The document also identifies how operations at GCD can be adjusted to respond to the short-time notice (hours) of impending flood flows at the mouth of the Paria River as well as the safety implications of rapid high-flow changes below GCD and in the upper reaches of the Grand Canyon. Reclamation’s Technical Report No. SRH-2012-08, “Determining Large Flood Events on the Paria River for a Rapid Response Alternative High Flow Experiment,” also addresses similar technical information.
 
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The analysis provided in this document, along with Reclamation’s technical report mentioned above, Western’s September 2010 proposal, and the EA should provide sufficient information to begin further National Environmental Policy Act compliance for a Rapid Response HFE protocol and the development of a science plan. We understand that safety issues need further consideration and we would look forward to discussing these with the National Park Service and others.
 
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Western is available to work with the Department of the Interior and the Colorado River Basin States to test and implement these operational changes and to move forward with Rapid Response HFE protocol that can both sustain the value of power generation at GCD and conserve sediment resources in the upper reaches of Grand Canyon to the maximum amount possible.
 
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'''[[Media:RR HFE manuscript.pdf| Rapid Response HFE manuscript]]'''
 
  
 
Contributor: Marianne Crawford, USBR
 
Contributor: Marianne Crawford, USBR
 
Category: Water Delivery
 
Category: Water Delivery

Revision as of 11:27, 2 May 2013

Annual Operating Plan
AOP -Front Page.jpg
  • 'Annual Operating Plan”'USBR LINK TO ANNUAL OPERATING PLAN
  • Each year, the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) for Colorado River Reservoirs reports on both the past operations of the Colorado River reservoirs for the completed year as well as projected operations and releases from these reservoirs for the current (i.e., upcoming) year. Accordingly, the 2012 AOP reports on 2011 operations as well as projected operations for 2012.
  • In recent years, additional operational rules, guidelines, and decisions have been put into place for Colorado River reservoirs including the 1996 Glen Canyon Dam Record of Decision (ROD), the 1997 Operating Criteria for Glen Canyon Dam, the 1999 Off-stream Storage of Colorado River Water Rule (43 CFR Part 414), the 2001 Interim Surplus Guidelines addressing operation of Hoover Dam, the 2006 Flaming Gorge Dam ROD, the 2006 Navajo Dam ROD to implement recommended flows for endangered fish, the 2007 Interim Guidelines for the operations of Lake Powell and Lake Mead, and numerous environmental assessments addressing experimental releases from Glen Canyon Dam.
  • Each AOP incorporates these rules, guidelines, and decisions and implements the criteria contained in the applicable decision document or documents. Thus, the AOP makes projections and reports on how the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) will implement these decisions in response to changing water supply conditions as they unfold during the upcoming year, when conditions become known.
  • Congress has charged the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) with stewardship and responsibility for a wide range of natural, cultural, recreational, and tribal resources within the Colorado River Basin.
  • The Secretary has the authority to operate and maintain Reclamation facilities within the Colorado River Basin addressed in this AOP to help manage these resources and accomplish their protection and enhancement in a manner fully consistent with applicable provisions of federal law including the Law of the River, and other project-specific operational limitations.
  • Monthly 24-Month Study Reports present hydrologic descriptions and projected operations for the Colorado River system reservoirs for the next two years. *The 24-Month Study Report is a combination of a write up of recent, current and potential future operations and a listing of the 24-Month Study computer model output.
  • The 24-Month Study computer model projects future reservoir conditions and potential dam operations for the system reservoirs given existing reservoir conditions; inflow forecasts and projections; and a variety of operational policies and guidelines.
  • Monthly reservoir inflow forecasts and projections are produced by the National Weather Service, Colorado Basin River Forecast Center (CBRFC).

The monthly reports can be accessed at: USBR 24 Month Studies LINK

USBR LINK TO ANNUAL OPERATING PLAN


Contributor: Marianne Crawford, USBR Category: Water Delivery

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