Volume 2, Number 5, September 2002
The Bureau of Reclamation (BuRec) has released its draft plan for the re-operation of Navajo Dam, the largest dam on the San Juan River. Under requirements of the Fish and Wildlife Service to take steps to reverse the decline of native Razorback Sucker and Colorado Pikeminnow habitat in the San Juan, BuRec is proposing flow recommendations to reduce the likelihood that the river will run dry, as it nearly has with increasing frequency.
In assessing the decommissioning alternative proposed by Living Rivers and others, BuRec states “It would result in the loss of reservoir storage needed to allow for contract water deliveries to the San Juan-Chama Project, the NIIP [Navajo Indian Irrigation Project] and other contractors...”
The NIIP has yet to be fully completed, and has been a money loser from the start. The Navajo Nation could generate far more revenue were it to sell water to users downstream, than to continue with the NIIP. The San Juan-Chama water is primarily used to supplement Rio Grande instream flows for endangered Silvery Minnow. Rio Grande water users should get their own water budgets in line, not divert water from the San Juan, which has its own instream flow needs to protect endangered fish.
BuRec is recommending that flow levels out of Navajo Dam be as low as 250 cubic feet per second. With increasing diversions occurring over the 171-mile river corridor downstream of the dam, Living Rivers believes this will not be enough water to prevent stream dewatering.
Comments on the Draft EIS will be accepted until November 4, 2002. For additional information contact Living Rivers.
