1. Sharing Shortages On the San Juan River
New Mexico Water Dialogue
20th Annual Statewide Meeting
January 9, 2014
In 2003, water users and managers on the San Juan River in NW NM were confronted with an issue they had never faced since the construction of Navajo Dam in the 1960’s; a potential water shortage.

2. San Juan River
The SJ River is located in the 4 Corners region of the US
Navajo Reservoir stores water from 3 rivers behind Navajo Dam, a unit of the CRSP built in the 1960’s.
Releases are made to the SJ River and the River flows eventually into Lake Powell, 224 miles downstream

3. Why a shortage sharing agreement is needed
Demand > Supply = water supply shortage
Lack of State of New Mexico water administration
Cooperation among major water users needed to share shortages equally
- As far as why a plan for sharing water had to be developed, one number sums it up: Like other areas throughout the West, the historic drought of 2002 hit the SJ Basin hard as well.

4. Competing
Placed a greater strain on the competing uses in the basin.
It was clear that we were facing a crises. A crisis that would have pitted farmers vs. ESA; Indian tribes vs non-Indian users; and state water law against Federal responsibilities
Uses

5. This graph shows what happened in the basin in 2002
Full Reservoir 6,085 ft
Max Elev: 6,032 ft
Min Elev: 6,013 ft
This graph shows what happened in the basin in 2002
Blue line in inflow (in cfs – left vertical axis) = 15% of average (10% of Apr-Jul avg)
Black line is reservoir elevation (in feet – right vertical axis). Fortunately, the reservoir went into 2002 in pretty good shape (black line) Started at around 6060 (79% full – 100% of average EODec content)
Red line is release to river (in cfs)
Gray section is release to NIIP (through a separate outlet near the left abutment of the dam)
Lake lost 48 feet in elevation (500,000 + af) over the course of the year.
While this is a grim graph, it does show one thing: the reservoir did it’s job in 2002 – supplied water in dry times that it had stored in wetter times
Jan03 Forecast = predicted 65% of avg

6. Key Concepts of Agreement
Shortages will be shared equally
Users determine how shortages will be applied
Shortages will be calculated by Reclamation using NWS minimum probable inflow forecast, forecasted demand, and reservoir storage
Other provisions unique to individual water users agreed upon by the endorsing parties
2 Distinct user groups in the basin: those who are authorized to use Navajo Reservoir storage water and those who divert a direct-flow water right directly from the river d/s of the dam. Both groups were represented here.

7. The Players Contractors and Direct-Flow Diverters
2 Native American Tribes
4 Irrigation Companies
3 Industrial Companies
1 Municipality
Non-signatory Parties
3 Federal Agencies
1 State Agency
SJ Basin Recovery Implementation Program
2 Distinct user groups in the basin: those who are authorized to use Navajo Reservoir storage water and those who divert a direct-flow water right directly from the river d/s of the dam. Both groups were represented here.

8. Constraints/Issues
Lack of Administration on River (agreement was to be a temporary solution)
Public Laws &
Endangered Species Act
Other Federal Environmental Laws
Ongoing Adjudication of Water Rights
Differing Legal Opinions
Economic Impact
Mistrust of Government
P.L (aka the 1962 Act), authorized the construction of NIIP and initial stage of SJ-Chama contains (like most Reclamation project authorizations and contracts) shortage sharing provisions. Written in such a way as to provide several interpretations and also assumed full administration of the river
State lacked necessary infrastructure and system to administer river
The SJR is home to two species of endangered fish (Colo pikeminnow and razorback sucker). Flow recommendations have been developed by the SJRIP and are designed to better mimic a natural hydrograph (i.e., high spring peak flows, lower base flows rest of the year).
To operate Navajo Res to meet flow recommendations, Reclamation began preparing an EIS in 1999 – had not been completed in 2003 (still not in 2004). In order to comply w/ NEPA, operational limitations
Ongoing adjudication of water rights in the basin
NIIP Diversion – 5990 elevation of main headworks into canal
There were differing legal opinions regarding quantity of water rights; who had right to water released from storage;
General mistrust of state and federal gov’t

9. Results Cooperative Solution Avoided Litigation
Complied with State and Federal Laws
Minimal Shortages to Users
Drought Continues
Minimal Carry-Over Storage
Unprecedented cooperation in SJR basin
Shortages – ditches delaying start of irrigation season; powerplants taking voluntary reduction of 5%; NIIP conservation practices

10. Lessons Learned Check agendas at the door Get consensus on the problem
Recognize “No Action” alternative
Identify and classify Issues
“Must be addressed”
“Can be set aside for future resolution”
Identify flexibility and quantify risks
Philosophy: “Minimize losses”; not “Maximize gains”

11. Changes on the horizon? Navajo Top Water Bank
Authority to Administer the San Juan River