FY 2014 Hydrograph 

Dave Trueman – RMD ManagerBureau of ReclamationGlen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program Technical Work Group June 20, 2012
2014 Hydrograph Developmen

• Start with 2012/13 Hydrograph • Consider operating experiences• Take advantage of current conditions• Not intended to be precedent setting• Continue to work within existing environmen

compliance

Lessons Learned

The 2012 HG worked very well at retaining sedimen

high in the system in anticipation of an HFE

-100

0

100200300400500600700

Sand Balance, ktons

Post-HFE Sand Budget Model Results

Marble Canyon Mass Balance
0

102030405060708090

500 600 700 800 

Sand Transport

Monthly Volume

Sand Transport Model

(based on median inputs)
Additional Objective Identified

• FWS suggested we look at ways to increase LCR tem

early in the season (June)

• Looked at attempting to entrain warmer reservoir wate

releases with high flows (no change found this year)

• LCR temperatures were found to drop by about 0.5 de

releases are increased from 600 to 800 kaf

• Discontinue moving Aug volumes to June

Hydrograph Concepts

• Continue to target lower August – October r

to retain late summer/fall sediment inputs

• Avoid shifting “extra” water to June (which c

temperatures at the mouth of the LCR) 

• Move water from Aug to other equal value m

for power
Draft DOI/DOE 2014 Hydrogra

• Annual Release Volumes will be determined by the 2007 Interim Guidelines and shall be r

adopted through the normal annual operating plan process. 

• Monthly release Volumes are anticipated to shift depending upon the Annual Release Vo

magnitude of a potential High Flow Experiment.

• Release objective for June of 600 kaf to 650 kaf is intended to provide warmer river tempe

mouth of the Lower Colorado River early in the season for endangered fish.

• Release objective for August of 800 kaf is intended to reduce the erosion of August sedim

anticipation of a potential HFE.

• Release objective for September and October of 600 kaf (or less) is intended to reduce se

in anticipation of a potential HFE and maintain warmer river temperatures for endangered 

• Monthly Release Volumes will generally strive to maintain 600 kaf levels in the shoulder m

and fall) and 800 kaf in December/January and July/August timeframes to meet Western’s needs. 

• Additionally, the Bureau of Reclamation will continue to apply best professional judgmen

actual operations and in response to changing conditions throughout the water year. Succontinue to be undertaken in coordination with the DOI/DOE agencies to consider changand adjust projected operations in a manner consistent with the objectives of these paraabove and pursuant to the Law of the River. 
WY14 Hydrologic Conditions

• GCD annual release will be determined in Au• About equal probability GCD annual release 

set at either 7.48 maf or 8.23 maf

• Very minor chance of balancing (higher than • Unlike the higher tier operations, monthly vo

will be far less volatile and established early year
No HFE 96 hr HFE 72 hr HFE 60 hr HFE 48 hr HFE 36 h

Oct 480 480 480 480 480 

Nov 500 630 577 551 524 

Dec 600 600 600 600 600 

Jan 800 800 800 800 800 

Feb 600 600 600 600 600 Mar 600 470 523 549 576 

Apr 500 500 500 500 500 

May 600 600 600 600 600 

Jun 600 600 600 600 600 

Jul 800 800 800 800 800 

Aug 800 800 800 800 800 Sep 600 600 600 600 600 

7480 7480 7480 7480 7480 7

* assumes MLFF ramp rates and minimums on shoulders

4,000 cfs/hr upramp and 1,500 cfs/hr downramp 5,000 cfs nightime and 8,000 cfs daytime

* assumes max release = 33,400cfs (current estimate w/ 6 units)

Example of 7.48 maf release
No HFE 96 hr HFE 72 hr HFE 60 hr HFE 48 hr HFE 36 h

Oct 600 600 600 600 600 

Nov 600 630 600 600 600 

Dec 800+50 800+20 800+50 800+50 800+50 80

Jan 800+50 800+50 800+50 800+50 800+50 80

Feb 600 600 600 600 600 Mar 600 570+30 600 600 600 

Apr 600 600 600 600 600 

May 600 600 600 600 600 

Jun 650 650 650 650 650 

Jul 850 850 850 850 850 

Aug 900-100 900-100 900-100 900-100 900-100 90Sep 630 630 630 630 630 

8230 8230 8230 8230 8230 8

* assumes MLFF ramp rates and minimums on shoulders

4,000 cfs/hr upramp and 1,500 cfs/hr downramp 5,000 cfs nightime and 8,000 cfs daytime

* assumes max release = 33,400cfs (current estimate w/ 6 units)

Example of 8.23 maf release
Alternative Hydrograph

• Monthly Release Volumes will be adjusted each month based on the most current forecas

release required by the 2007 Interim Guidelines.

• Monthly Release Volumes are anticipated to vary within the targets identified below. This 

operational flexibility will be used for existing power production operations under the MoFluctuating Flow (MLFF) alternative selected by the 1996 ROD and contained in the 1995 

targeted operation will also be adjusted as necessary to accommodate a targeted release month of August 2014 based on the schedule below:

• August 2014 Volume target set to 800 kaf.• September and October 2014 Volume targets set to 600 kaf to 630 kaf.

• Monthly Release Volumes will be modified each month in consultation with Western Area 

Administration.

• Additionally, the Bureau of Reclamation will continue to apply best professional judgmen

actual operations and in response to changing conditions throughout the water year. Sucontinue to be undertaken in coordination with the DOI/DOE agencies, and after consulta

basin states as appropriate, to consider changing conditions and adjust projected operatconsistent with the objectives of these parameters as stated above and pursuant to the L
DOI/DOE Proposed 2014 Hydro

• Annual Release Volumes will determined in compliance with the 2007 Interim Guidelines (in consultation w

as appropriate). 

• Monthly release Volumes are anticipated to shift depending upon: (1) the Annual Release Volume, and (2) t

potential High Flow Experiment.

• Monthly Release Volumes may vary within the targets identified below. Any remaining monthly operationa

used for existing power production operations under the Modified Low Fluctuating Flow (MLFF) alternative ROD and contained in the 1995 FEIS and in compliance with all applicable NEPA compliance documents (H

2007 IG). 

• Release objective for June is 600 kaf to 650 kaf .

• Release objective for August is 800 kaf.• Release objective for September and October is 600 kaf to 630 kaf.• Monthly Release Volumes will generally strive to maintain 600 kaf levels in the spring/fall timeframe and 80

December/January and July/August timeframe. 

• Additionally, the Bureau of Reclamation will continue to apply best professional judgment in conducting ac

in response to changing conditions throughout the water year. Such efforts will continue to be undertaken the DOI/DOE agencies, and after consultation with the Basin States as appropriate, to consider changing coprojected operations in a manner consistent with the objectives of these parameters as stated above and pof the River.