Flood Control Suplus

Colorado River water is released through the
Hoover Dam spillways in 1983.

Each year, the Secretary of the Interior decides whether or not to declare a surplus of Colorado River water.

Surpluses have historically been limited to "flood control" surpluses, which allow the Lower Basin States to use excess water released from Lake Mead to control potential flooding along the Colorado River system.

Every year, the Bureau of Reclamation issues its "Annual Operating Plan for Colorado River Reservoirs" and determines whether or not a surplus condition is expected to exist for the upcoming year.

If additional water is available and demands are greater than 7.5 million acre-feet in the Lower Basin, then a surplus condition can be declared by the Secretary.

A flood control surplus on the Colorado River was first declared in 1996 and subsequent years through 2002, because of the high storage content in Colorado River reservoirs.

The 2008 Water Resource Plan does not assume the availability of flood control surplus during the planning horizon. However, SNWA will use flood control surplus water when it is available and needed to meet demands.