Heavy winter snowpack prompting releases from Salt River Project reservoirs

Even earlier than the parade of February snowstorms started marching by Arizona’s excessive nation, meteorologists and hydrologists had been starting to see the handwriting on the canyon partitions: 

The Southwest’s moisture-laden winter was going to pressure the Salt River Challenge to start “spilling” water from its reservoir system with the intention to create space for storing for the Spring runoff season.

SRP lately started a low-level launch of water from its Verde River system. Preliminary releases started flowing over Granite Reef Dam – situated about 4 miles beneath the confluence of the Salt and Verde rivers – at a price of roughly 500 cubic ft per second (CFS), which elevated to 1,000 CFS final weekend.  

The releases, which originate out of Bartlett Dam, are anticipated to proceed by March.

“SRP screens the watershed and reservoir system year-round to make sure a dependable provide for the Valley,” stated Charlie Ester, Supervisor of SRP Water Administration. “This winter has confirmed to be a productive 12 months for the watershed, which is sweet information as SRP is ready to retailer the water for future years.”

Due to the productive storms skilled this winter and the following runoff, the SRP reservoirs on the Verde River are nearing full capability. 

SRP officers report that whereas the releases are anticipated to be maintained at a low stage, the water will finally be seen flowing by the usually dry Salt River. The flows are anticipated to shut McKellips Highway within the East Valley till later within the Spring.

That is the primary water launch since 2019. Water releases in winters with considerable precipitation and runoff are an important software to securely handle SRP’s water provide to the Valley and to make sure dam and public security.

Strategically releasing water into the Valley of the Solar is a significant a part of SRP’s mission.

All year long, SRP releases water from the dams on the Salt and Verde rivers right into a sequence of canals to fulfill the water wants of the Valley. In significantly moist winters when the reservoirs are nearing capability, some releases exterior of the canal system are required to make room for added anticipated runoff.

Not like the Colorado River System, which is dealing with extreme shortages as a result of drought and a structural deficit the place annual demand exceeds annual runoff, the Salt and Verde reservoir techniques are practically in stability the place annual demand is near the annual provide. Nonetheless, in moist years runoff can exceed the accessible capability of the reservoir system.

Although recognized as “extra capability,” the water SRP is releasing will not be misplaced water. It would stream downstream within the Salt River and recharge the aquifer, which helps Valley cities and water suppliers.

The 2022-2023 winter snowpack in Arizona, particularly alongside the Verde River system, has been substantial.

Current SRP surveys have decided that snowpack on the 13,000-square-mile watershed that replenishes the Verde River reservoirs is the second deepest it’s been in 30 years. SRP officers frequently test the snow ranges in Arizona’s excessive nation in the course of the winter to develop seasonal runoff forecasts and supply worthwhile information for planning. 

SRP reviews that it’s engaged on rising the storage capability for the Verde River reservoir system over the following decade. A bunch of 23 companions – together with tribal, agricultural, and municipal organizations – has dedicated to assist the Bureau of Reclamation feasibility research of choices to change Bartlett Dam to enhance administration of water sources offered by the Verde River.

SRP gives water to about half of the Valley’s residents, delivering greater than 244 billion gallons of water (750,000 acre-feet) annually, and manages a 13,000-square-mile watershed that features an intensive system of reservoirs, wells, canals and irrigation laterals.