Title
Consider adopting a release schedule for Nacimiento and San Antonio reservoirs for 2017.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Directors:
Adopts a release schedule for Nacimiento and San Antonio reservoirs for 2017.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Drought conditions and emergency operations of Nacimiento and San Antonio reservoirs resulted in reservoir level conditions that did not allow the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (Agency) to operate the Salinas River Diversion Facility (SRDF) for the last three years. Reservoir levels increased significantly last winter allowing the Agency to make releases to operate the SRDF this year.
The proposed reservoir release schedule has the objective of maintaining flows necessary to support groundwater recharge and diversion requirements of the SRDF through the end of October and to maintain fish spawning and rearing habitat below both dams through the end of the year.
The release schedule also meets the operational requirements found in the Salinas Valley Water Project NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Biological Opinion and in the Nacimiento River and San Antonio River water rights held by the Agency.
At the Reservoir Operations Advisory Committee meeting of April 27, 2017, the Committee recommended that the attached proposed Release Schedule be adopted by the Board of Directors.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
FINANCING:
None
Prepared by: Brent Buche, Deputy General Manager, (831) 755-4860
German Criollo, Associate Water Resources Hydrologist (831) 755-4860
Approved by: ____________________________________________________
David E. Chardavoyne, General Manager, (831) 755-4860
Attachments:
1. Reservoir Release Schedule For 2017
2. Board Order