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Show 102 UPDATING THE HOOVER DAM DOCUMENTS Certain conclusions became apparent to the Bureau of Reclamation in the discussions which indicated the difficulty of satisfying both Basins in a single set of regulations and that latitude was needed for the Secretary to operate on a year by year basis. These conclusions were: (1) Nothing should be done at Glen Canyon which would have an adverse effect on the users of water below Hoover Dam or from the mainstream between Lake Mead and Glen Canyon; (2) Secondary energy should not be generated at Hoover Dam except when all reservoirs are full and a spill would otherwise occur; and (3) The obtaining of the minimum power head at Glen Canyon reservoir, elevation 3490 (6.1 maf) at the earliest practicable time, should be an objective of any filling criteria. The most difficult aspect and basic to the solution of the filling problem was an answer as to what to do about any deficiency that might occur in the firm energy generation at Hoover Powerplant incident to filling the Upper Basin Storage Project reservoirs. This was the most troublesome of the problems. C. Bureau of Reclamation's Initial Proposal On January 18, 1960, the Bureau of Reclamation proposed the following set of governing principles and operating criteria as a tentative proposal open for discussion. These were based upon the proposition that an allowance should be made for computed deficiency in firm energy generation at Hoover, which might be caused by Glen Canyon being on the river. The principles were not applicable to Flaming Gorge, Navajo or Curecanti (see memorandum of July 17, 1962, from Associate Solicitor Weinberg to Commissioner of Reclamation). Paragraph 1. The principles were asserted to be based upon a reasonable exercise of Secretarial discretion without attempting to define the outer limits of either rights or obligations of any of the States or of the United States, and recognized that changes might be required by the forthcoming Decree in Arizona v. California. Paragraph 2. This defines the filling period, during which the principles would apply, as generally the time required to fill Glen Canyon; i.e., elevation 3700, with a cutoff date of May 31, 1987, the date when the Hoover power contracts expire. Paragraph 3. This states that during the filling period, uses of water below Hoover Dam, other than power, will be satisfied, including delivery of not more than 1.5 maf/yr to Mexico, which is the Treaty obligation. Releases from storage in either Glen Canyon or Lake Mead would depend on the content of the reservoirs and on inflow. Paragraph 4. This states that the uses of water for consumptive purposes will be met between Glen Canyon and Lake Mead. Paragraph 5. This provides an allowance for computed deficiency in Hoover firm energy which is created by virtue of operations at Glen Canyon. Determination of deficiency depends upon two calculations. The first is to determine the so-called Hoover basic firm, which is that firm energy that would have been produced at Hoover without Glen Canyon on the river and using an overall efficiency factor for power operations of 83 percent. The second calculation would be to adjust the energy actually generated at Hoover to an efficiency factor of 83 percent rather than the actual efficiency of 70 to 78 percent dictated for the convenience of the allottees. The difference between these two calculations would, for purposes of the allowances, be considered as the deficiency in firm energy. The Secretary would determine how the allowance would be accomplished; i.e., (1) monetarily, if the incremental cost (fuel replacement cost of generating substitute energy) is less than the selling rate for power from the Upper Basin projects (which would be the case while Glen Canyon was reaching minimum power head), or (2) whether it might be better to compensate the Hoover Dam power contractors with kilowatthours through the interconnection of the two power systems. In the event of an allowance, the Hoover power contractors will continue to pay under their contracts in the same manner as if the amount of energy involved in the deficiency had been generated at Hoover. Paragraph 6. This is a tie between the general principles and the operating criteria. Paragraph 7. This sets forth the method whereby the minimum power head (elevation 3490), 6.1 maf available surface storage, would be gained in Glen Canyon. This would be done at the earliest practicable time without drawing Lake Mead below its rated head (elevation 1123) or 14.5 maf available surface storage. |
