Wednesday February 23, 2005
Davis Dam Releases to Drop Again, Parker Dam Releases to Increase to Prevent Lake Havasu Spill

Source: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

The lake, formed by Parker Dam, is nearly 4 feet above its targeted February flood control level.

The releases from Davis Dam, which have been averaging 2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) since February 16, were dropped to approximately 1,400 cfs this afternoon in an effort to determine what impact that level of flow would have on the Mohave Generating Station. It was determined there was no impact at that level.

This release is expected to last until at least Sunday, February 27, but may be extended if necessary. Davis Dam releases were last at the 1,400 cfs level in January 1993.

The releases at Parker Dam, which have been averaging about 4,600 cfs each day, will be increased to approximately 6,700 cfs, or about 80 percent of average for this time of year. Because the water demand is only about 1900 cfs for the next few days, the water released above demand will flow unused into Mexico.

Current projections are that Davis Dam releases could return to the 2,000 cfs level after Sunday, and increase to 3,800 cfs by the second week of March. These projections could change, depending on how soon the demand for Colorado River water increases, and on how much inflow the Colorado River receives from tributary rivers in the next couple of weeks.

Releases from Hoover Dam have also been cut back, to an average of 3,600 cfs. Under normal circumstances, Hoover Dam releases average about 15,000 cfs at this time of year.

Information on current releases from Hoover, Davis and Parker Dams can be found at www.usbr.gov/lc/riverops.html under "Current Conditions." Projected operations can be found at the same address, under "Weekly River Operations Schedule."

Contact:
Robert Walsh
702-293-8421

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