The Bureau of Reclamation began controlled releases from Navajo Dam Friday to move sediment before spring runoff begins and to control the rise of the reservoir.
The bureau said in an email that it estimates spring peak release to begin at the end of the week.
Friday’s release increased flow of San Juan River from 500 to 700 cubic feet per second. Saturday releases increased from 700 to 900 cfs and continued to increase throughout the day to about 1,200 cfs. There were no releases on Sunday.
Monday, releases increased from 1,200 cfs to 1,400 cfs at 10 a.m. and continued to increase until 2 p.m. to about 2,000 cfs.
According to Devin Neeley, spokesman for San Juan County, the releases were conducted in an effort to balance the inflow and outflow with controlled releases and prevent uncontrolled flow from the spillway.
“Water managers are being mindful of the lake level, and there is still plenty of snow in the mountains to feed the lake,” Neeley said.
Recreators and those who live along the river are advised to exercise extra caution during this time, as is the case during any runoff season.
Neeley said the weekend releases served as a “ramp-up to 5,000 cfs” flows this week.
Emergency Management will closely monitor the situation throughout the releases and spring runoff.
Reclamation said in an email that the releases were dependent “on the ground conditions and the weather,” and advised residents and recreators to stay aware of further updates.
Christa Chapman, spokeswoman for city of Farmington, said in an email that there are sandbags and sand available to residents behind the Farmington Recreation Center. Shovels are not provided.
Neeley said the county has sandbags available at three locations: 326 S Oliver Drive, Aztec (Old Pepsi Building); 4105 U.S. Highway 64, Kirtland (Valley Fire Station 1); and 679 New Mexico Highway 170, La Plata (La Plata Fire Station 2).
Neeley said some sandbags may be available on a first-come, first-served basis. People are advised to bring a shovel, as bags and sand are available.
For more information on the status of the releases, visit San Juan County Emergency Management’s Facebook page or Bureau of Reclamation’s Navajo Dam website.
