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AHRA Water Flow
AHRA Water Flow
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Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area Map

Announcements

Increase in Lake Fork Release
May, 08 2024
From USBR:
Lake County completed their repairs. We’ll be increasing the release from Turquoise down Lake Fork Creek at by 50 cfs at 07:00 (to 250 cfs), 10:00 (to 300 cfs) and 13:00 (to 350 cfs). The release is a combination of native and project. We report the amounts to the state daily.
Decrease in Lake Fork Creek Release
May, 06 2024
From USBR:
We’re going to decrease the flows down Lake Fork Creek by 50 cfs at 11:30 (total flow of 250 cfs) and 50 cfs at 15:00 (total of 200 cfs). We’ll release the native inflows to Turquoise; project water in exchange for native stored at Twin; and whatever flows remain will be project from Turq. We’ll keep the flow at 200 cfs while Lake County performs maintenance on CR11 and CR5A, then we’ll increase the flows back up to 350 cfs. I’ll send another notice before we begin the increases.
Water Order FAP 24-12
May, 04 2024
Mount Elbert Powerplant

GENERAL
At the request of Lake County to protect Rd 11, the flows down Lake Fork Creek will be
decreased.

Sugarloaf Dam
Friday, May 3, 2024 at 18:30 Hrs.
Decrease the release to Lake Fork Creek to 300 cfs.

Maintain this flow until further notice. Watch the Lake Fork channel banks for any impacts
from these flows.
Decrease in Turquoise release
May, 03 2024
From USBR:
We’re going to decrease the Turquoise release down Lake Fork Creek by 40 cfs at 18:00 this evening, 3 May. After the gate operation, we’ll be releasing 300 cfs, all of it project. I expect we’ll stay here through the weekend.
Decrease in Twin Release
April, 30 2024
From USBR:
We’re going to start to decrease the Twin release at 12:30 by 50 cfs, at 13:30 by another 50 cfs and at 14:30 by an additional 35 cfs. After all the gate operations, we’ll be releasing 15 cfs- about 1 cfs of account and the rest native. We’re looking at river exchanges into Twin for the next couple of months so flows down Lake Creek will remain lower than normal. We will continue to release out of Turquoise down Lake Fork Creek for most of the summer, although we may be able to lower the total release in late May.
River Update
April, 30 2024
The Mt. Elbert Conduit is currently not operating.  The impact to the river will be 350 CFS down Lake Fork Creek and into the main stem of the Arkansas River for the foreseeable future and most likely until after peak runoff.

This is a critical issue for BOR and they are working on a resolution.  With both turbines down, the ability to move water is restricted, meaning flows in the river may look different this season.

You can expect the 350 CFS from Lake Fork Creek to continue through May.  More updates will be provided as we get additional information.
Water Order FAP 24-11
April, 25 2024
Mount Elbert Powerplant

GENERAL
Mt. Elbert generating units are down. Turquoise Lake will be drafted for spring imports through Lake Fork Creek.

Sugarloaf Dam
Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 17:30 Hrs.
Stop the flow through Mt Elbert conduit except for the normal bypass flows.
Increase the release to Lake Fork Creek to 50 cfs.

Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 18:30 Hrs.
Increase the release to Lake Fork Creek to 100 cfs.

Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 19:30 Hrs.
Increase the release to Lake Fork Creek to 150 cfs.

Friday, April 26, 2024 at 07:00 Hrs.
Increase the release to Lake Fork Creek to 200 cfs.

Friday, April 26, 2024 at 08:00 Hrs.
Increase the release to Lake Fork Creek to 250 cfs.

Friday, April 26, 2024 at 09:00 Hrs.
Increase the release to Lake Fork Creek to 300 cfs.

Friday, April 26, 2024 at 10:00 Hrs.
Increase the release to Lake Fork Creek to 350 cfs.

Maintain this flow until further notice. Watch the Lake Fork channel banks for any impacts from these increased flows.
Increase in Twin Release
April, 22 2024
From USBR:
We’re going to increase the release from Twin Lakes by 30 cfs at 09:00 this morning. After the gate operation, we’ll be releasing 92 cfs, all but less than 1 cfs of which is native.
Increase in Twin Release
April, 11 2024
From USBR: 

We’re going to increase the native release by 25 cfs at 08:00 this morning, 11 Apr 24. After the gate operation, we’ll be releasing 60 cfs, all but about 1 cfs is native.
Increase in Twin Release
April, 08 2024
From USBR:

We’re going to increase the native release from Twin Lakes by 20 cfs Monday morning at 8:00. After the gate operation, we’ll be releasing 35 cfs- less than 1 cfs of account releases and the rest native.
Water Order FAP 24-10
April, 04 2024
Mt. Elbert Powerplant

GENERAL
Mt. Elbert Conduit is now available to balance storage between Turquoise and Twin Lakes.

Sugarloaf Dam
Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 1130 Hrs.
Increase the Mt Elbert conduit flow to 360 cfs.
Maintain this flow until further notice.
Water Order FAP 24-09
March, 19 2024
Mt. Elbert Powerplant

GENERAL
We have filled the Mt Elbert forebay to about 80% of capacity and Unit 2 at Mt Elbert
powerplant is still not working as a generator. Powerplant personnel are working on it now and we hope to have it back in service soon. Once we do, we plan to increase the conduit flow rate to ~200 cfs.

Sugarloaf Dam
Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 0800 Hrs.
Decrease the Mt Elbert conduit flow to 14 cfs.

Maintain this flow until further notice.
Water Order FAP24-08 REVISION
March, 13 2024
Mt. Elbert Powerplant

GENERAL
End of winter water operations.

Sugarloaf Dam
Friday, March 15, 2024 at 0000 Hrs.
Convert the 3 cfs project release to a native release. Continue releasing 3 cfs of native
inflow down Lake Fork Creek.

Twin Lakes Dam
Friday, March 15, 2024 at 0000 Hrs.
Stop storing native flows in Twin Lakes. Convert the 15 cfs project release to native.

Friday, March 15, 2024 at 0900 Hrs.
Decrease release from 25 cfs to 15 cfs at 0900 hrs. Continue releasing 15 cfs of native
inflow down Lake Creek.
Water Order FAP 24-08
March, 12 2024
Mt. Elbert Powerplant

GENERAL
End of winter water operations.

Sugarloaf Dam
Friday, March 15, 2024 at 0000 Hrs.
Convert the 3 cfs project release to a native release.

Friday, March 15, 2024 at 1000 Hrs.
Increase release from 3 cfs to 13 cfs at 1000 hrs. Continue releasing 13 cfs of native inflow
down Lake Fork Creek.

Twin Lakes Dam
Friday, March 15, 2024 at 0000 Hrs.
Stop storing native flows in Twin Lakes. Convert the 15 cfs project release to native.

Friday, March 15, 2024 at 0800 Hrs.
Decrease release from 25 cfs to 15 cfs at 0800 hrs. Continue releasing 15 cfs of native
inflow down Lake Creek.
Water Order FAP 24-07
March, 04 2024
Mt. Elbert Powerplant

GENERAL
We are continuing to fill the Mt Elbert forebay in anticipation of generation starting at the Mt. Elbert powerplant this week. Mt Elbert Powerplant personnel have requested to run 150 cfs to keep the valves from having problems so we are increasing the flow to 150 cfs through theconduit.

Sugarloaf Dam
Monday, March 4, 2024 at 1000 Hrs.
Increase the Mt Elbert conduit flow to 150 cfs. The Sugarloaf powerplant will not be generating
for the foreseeable future.

Maintain this flow until further notice.

Water Order FAP 24-06
February, 29 2024
Mount Elbert Powerplant

GENERAL
Starting to fill Mt Elbert forebay in anticipation of generation starting next week at the Mt Elbert powerplant.

Sugarloaf Dam
Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 1500 Hrs.
Increase the Mt Elbert conduit flow to 100 cfs. The Sugarloaf powerplant will not be generating for the foreseeable future.

Maintain this flow until further notice.
Water Order FAP24-05
February, 28 2024
(Water order number skipped/does not exist)
Increase in Twin Release
January, 16 2024
From USBR: 

We plan to adjust the Twin Lakes release by 5 cfs at 12:00 tomorrow, increasing it from 20 cfs to 25 cfs (15 cfs project water, 10 cfs native <1 cfs of contract release).
Water Order FAP 24-04
November, 13 2023
Mt. Elbert Powerplant

GENERAL
We will begin the winter water program operations on November 15, 2023.

Sugarloaf Dam
Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 00:00 Hrs.
Convert the release down Lake Fork Creek to project water.
Begin storing 3 cfs of native inflow for Colorado Springs.

Twin Lakes Dam
Wednesday, November 15, 2022 at 00:00 Hrs.
Store all native inflows to Twin Lakes for Twin Lakes Canal Company.
Maintain these flows until further notice.

Water Order FAP 24-03
November, 07 2023
Mt. Elbert Powerplant

GENERAL
Native inflows have decreased.

Twin Lakes Dam
Monday, November 6, 2023 at 00:00 Hrs.
Convert the 15 cfs native release from Twin to project.
Maintain this release until further notice.
Decrease in Twin Release
November, 02 2023
From USBR: 

We decreased the Twin release by 10 cfs at 08:30, cutting it from 25 cfs to 15 cfs, all but about 1 cfs of which is native.

Water Order FAP 24-02
October, 30 2023
Mt. Elbert Powerplant

GENERAL
Native inflows have increased.

Twin Lakes Dam
Sunday, Oct 29, 2023 at 00:00 Hrs.
Convert the 15 cfs project release from Twin to native.
Maintain this release until further notice.
Water Order FAP 24-01
October, 03 2023
Mount Elbert Powerplant

GENERAL
The release of account water from Twin Lakes has diminished.

Twin Lakes Dam
Sunday, Oct 1, 2023 at 00:00 Hrs.
Convert the 15 cfs release from Twin to project.
Maintain this release until further notice.
Water Order FAP 23-43
September, 29 2023
Mount Elbert Powerplant

GENERAL
The state wants a physical release of water from Twin.

Twin Lakes Dam
Wednesday, Sept 27, 2023 at 00:00 Hrs.
Convert the 15 cfs native release from Twin to account.
Water Order FAP 23-42
September, 25 2023
Mt. Elbert Powerplant

GENERAL
Native inflows to Turquoise and Twin Lakes are very low.

Twin Lakes Dam
Monday, Sept 25, 2023 at 00:00 Hrs.
Convert the 15 cfs native release from Twin to project.
Water Order FAP 23-41
September, 19 2023
Mount Elbert Powerplant

GENERAL
Turquoise Lake has been sufficiently drafted.

Sugarloaf Dam
Thursday, Sept 21, 2023 at 08:00 Hrs.
Stop the flows from Sugarloaf Dam through the powerplant to the conduit. Continue the bypass flows.
Decrease in Twin release
September, 08 2023
From USBR:

We’ve stopped the project release from Twin as of Sept 8. We’re going to start reducing the native release beginning Saturday, Sept 9 with a decrease of 50 cfs, and a second decrease of 50 cfs on Sunday, Sept 10. On Monday, Sept 11 we’ll make a final cut to bring the total release to 15 cfs of native water.
Water Order FAP 23-40
September, 01 2023
Mt. Elbert Powerplant

GENERAL
Flows from Twin Lakes will be reduced to aid in construction projects in the Arkansas River.

Twin Lakes Dam
Monday, Sept 4, 2023 at 17:00 Hrs.
Decrease the project release from Twin Lakes from 300 cfs to 230 cfs.

Tuesday, Sept 5, 2023 at 08:00 Hrs.
Decrease the project release from Twin Lakes from 230 cfs to 140 cfs.

Wednesday, Sept 6, 2023 at 08:00 Hrs.
Decrease the project release from Twin Lakes from 140 cfs to 70 cfs.

Thursday, Sept 7, 2023 at 08:00 Hrs.
Decrease the project release from Twin Lakes from 70 cfs to 35 cfs.

Friday, Sept 8, 2023 at 08:00 Hrs.
Decrease the project release from Twin Lakes from 35 cfs to 0 cfs.

Maintain this flow until further notice.

Increase in Twin Release
August, 21 2023
From USBR:

We’re going to increase the release from Twin at 16:00 this afternoon, 21 Aug 23.  The flow below the dam will increase by about 50 cfs of native water.  As of midnight, we are releasing 300 cfs project and the rest is native.
Water Order FAP 23-39
August, 17 2023
Mt Elbert Powerplant

GENERAL
Balancing the admin account at Twin Lakes Reservoir.

Twin Lakes Dam
Thursday, August 17, 2023 00:00 Hrs.
Decrease the project release by 50 cfs by converting project release to a native release. The
project release will now be 300 cfs.
Maintain this flow until further notice.
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This page depicts the Flow Program Target and the flow of the Arkansas River as measured in cubic feet per second (cfs) at the Wellsville Gage near Salida, CO. This page also tracks, in acre feet (af), the amount of water released as part of the summer component of the Voluntary Flow Program.

WaterFlow Summary

Program Water: 10000 (af)

Flow Program Releases: 0 (af)

Estimated Program Water Remaining: 10000 (af)

WaterFlow Data

DateWellsville FlowFlow Program
10/9/2023 7:00:00 AM2880
10/8/2023 7:00:00 AM2920
10/7/2023 7:00:00 AM2910
10/6/2023 7:00:00 AM2980
10/5/2023 7:00:00 AM3060
10/4/2023 7:00:00 AM3170
10/3/2023 7:00:00 AM3350
10/2/2023 7:00:00 AM2960
10/1/2023 7:00:00 AM2780
9/30/2023 7:00:00 AM2700
9/29/2023 7:00:00 AM2790
9/28/2023 7:00:00 AM2760
9/27/2023 7:00:00 AM2890
9/26/2023 7:00:00 AM2920
9/25/2023 7:00:00 AM3020
9/24/2023 7:00:00 AM3020
9/23/2023 7:00:00 AM3090
9/22/2023 7:00:00 AM3220
9/21/2023 7:00:00 AM3270
9/20/2023 7:00:00 AM3400
9/19/2023 7:00:00 AM3500
9/18/2023 7:00:00 AM3760
9/17/2023 7:00:00 AM4060
9/16/2023 7:00:00 AM4560
9/15/2023 7:00:00 AM3350
12345678910...

WaterFlow Graph

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WaterFlow Floating Graph

Water Temps & Daily Averages

DateWellsville Flow Daily Average (cfs)Salida Boat Ramp Temperature
6/5/2019 50°F
 37462°F
 34959°F
 34659°F
 34259°F
 33962°F
 36764°F
 41262.5°F
 40162°F
 38660°F
 38260°F
 38260°F
 34661°F
 315 
 328 
 37164°F
 32563°F
 31164°F
 31163°F
 31162°F
 298 
 27663°F
 25962°F
 26762°F
 264 
12