Green River Fishing Report

From the Bureau of Reclamation:

* * * * * U P D A T E -- June 5, 2023 * * * * * *
Use Caution when recreating in or around the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam between June 6-14, 2023 pending hydrology, water will be colder than usual and will run high and swift. These conditions can quickly overcome even the strongest swimmer. Reclamation will perform a LTSP experimental release that will potentially include full powerplant releases (4,600 cfs) and bypass releases (+4,000 cfs), totaling 8,600 cfs. The experiment is authorized through the 2006 Flaming Gorge Record of Decision and is part of the adaptive management process to recover endangered fish.

Forecasted (tentative) hourly release schedules can be found by visiting the Colorado River Basin Forecast Center at this website: Flaming Gorge Reservoir. This data is considered the most likely scenario given the current forecast, is general, and is subject to changing conditions. Down ramping is anticipated to occur early the week of June 12, 2023. Reach 2 (measured at Jensen) peak magnitude objective is to be ≥14,000 and <20,300 cfs.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Summary of Flaming Gorge Notification Sent June 2, 2023
In order to achieve the goals of the LTSP, Reclamation will release to full powerplant capacity (~4,600 cfs) and bypass. Bypass release can measure up to an additional ~4,000 cfs over powerplant capacity, for a maximum release of ~8,600 cfs from Flaming Gorge Dam. The Flaming Gorge Dam release schedule below shows the approximate timing of flows for implementation of the LTSP experiment:

NOTE: Bypass will be used at Flaming Gorge Dam to achieve releases greater than ~4,600 cfs in the table above. The hourly release schedule above is an approximation of releases. All data is provisional and is subject to change. The table was created on 6/2/2023.

The Flaming Gorge Dam releases for the LTSP experiment are currently planned to stay at ~8,200 cfs through the weekend of Sunday, June 11, 2023. Reclamation plans to initiate the ramp down portion of the LTSP experiment early in the week of Monday, June 12, 2023. A detailed ramp down release schedule will be released in a subsequent notification. All dates and releases are provisional and subject to change.

“As of May 8, 2023 (end of day), Flaming Gorge Reservoir pool elevation is 6012.21 feet, which amounts to 72 percent of live storage capacity. Unregulated inflow volume for the month of April is approximately 188,000 acre-feet (af), which is 150 percent of the average April unregulated inflow volume. The current average daily release is 800 cfs.

The 2023 DROA Plan is being finalized and will be provided through processes outlined in the DROA Framework, https://www.usbr.gov/dcp/droa.html pages.

A new operation will be finalized in May 2023, and this will contain an operation plan from May 2023 through April 2024.

Spring Release -- The Larval Trigger Study Plan to assist in the recovery of the Razorback sucker (protected under the Endangered Species Act) is the next operational plan to occur this spring. The adaptive management experiment is triggered by appearance of razorback sucker larvae which is correlated to the weather. Current models show that the trigger could occur in early June, pending hydrology and weather. Below is a description of the likelihood of the trigger occurring. The mean calendar date of the first capture of razorback sucker larvae (i.e., the "larval trigger") is May 28 (median May 27) and ranges from May 7 to June 24. Historically, 50% of first captures occurred between May 21 and June 2; 75% occurred between May 16 and June 4. In general, first capture of larvae is earliest in years characterized by low flows and/or warmer conditions, and latest in years characterized by high flows and/or cooler conditions. Pending the timing of the trigger and Yampa River flows, the goal is to achieve greater than 18,600 cfs for at least 5 days in Reach 2, near Jensen Utah. Releases from Flaming Gorge Dam will vary to meet target flows in Reach 2.

The May unregulated inflows into Flaming Gorge for the next three months projects above average. May, June, and July forecasted unregulated inflow volumes amount to 415,000 af (167 percent of average), 490,000 af (126 percent of average), and 207,000 af (103 percent of average), respectively. The May water supply forecast of the April through July unregulated inflow volume into Flaming Gorge Reservoir is 1,300,000 acre-feet (135% of average). Due to the May official forecast Upper Green April – July forecast being at a 31% exceedance value, spring operations will use an average hydrologic classification operation.

To view the most current reservoir elevation, content, inflow and release, click on: Flaming Gorge Reservoir Data.”

What this means:

High flows through June 14th.
Fish worms and scuds.

Southwest Wyoming Fishing Report

From the Bureau of Reclamation:

“As of May 4, 2023, the Fontenelle Reservoir pool elevation is 6475.71 feet, which amounts to 41 percent of live storage capacity. Inflows for the month of April totaled approximately 75,085 acre-feet (af) or 89 percent of average.

Ice along the Green River has thawed, and spring releases have started. Releases from the dam will increase throughout spring to meet elevation targets. Per the May final forecast, maximum total release rates are forecasted to occur in late June at approximately 5,000 cfs, subject to hydrology.

The May final forecast for unregulated inflows into Fontenelle for the next three months projects above average conditions. May, June, and July Most Probable inflow volumes amount to 240,000 af (137 percent of average), 335,000 af (109 percent of average), and 180,000 af (107 percent of average), respectively.

Please refer to the following link for Green River flow projections, through Green River, WY, provided by the Colorado River Basin Forecast Center: CBRFC Green River, WY Projection

To view the most current reservoir elevation, content, inflow and release, click on: Fontenelle Reservoir Data.”

What this means:

Releases from Fontenelle Reservoir are currently at 4,690 CFS. Water temps are around 48.7 degrees Fahrenheit. Snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is currently at 87 percent of normal. Snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is currently at 122 percent of normal.

Fishing has been slow lately, but as water temperature rises the fishing should begin to pick up.

Green River Fishing Report

From the Bureau of Reclamation:

“As of May 8, 2023 (end of day), Flaming Gorge Reservoir pool elevation is 6012.21 feet, which amounts to 72 percent of live storage capacity. Unregulated inflow volume for the month of April is approximately 188,000 acre-feet (af), which is 150 percent of the average April unregulated inflow volume. The current average daily release is 800 cfs.

The 2023 DROA Plan is being finalized and will be provided through processes outlined in the DROA Framework, https://www.usbr.gov/dcp/droa.html pages.

A new operation will be finalized in May 2023, and this will contain an operation plan from May 2023 through April 2024.

Spring Release -- The Larval Trigger Study Plan to assist in the recovery of the Razorback sucker (protected under the Endangered Species Act) is the next operational plan to occur this spring. The adaptive management experiment is triggered by appearance of razorback sucker larvae which is correlated to the weather. Current models show that the trigger could occur in early June, pending hydrology and weather. Below is a description of the likelihood of the trigger occurring. The mean calendar date of the first capture of razorback sucker larvae (i.e., the "larval trigger") is May 28 (median May 27) and ranges from May 7 to June 24. Historically, 50% of first captures occurred between May 21 and June 2; 75% occurred between May 16 and June 4. In general, first capture of larvae is earliest in years characterized by low flows and/or warmer conditions, and latest in years characterized by high flows and/or cooler conditions. Pending the timing of the trigger and Yampa River flows, the goal is to achieve greater than 18,600 cfs for at least 5 days in Reach 2, near Jensen Utah. Releases from Flaming Gorge Dam will vary to meet target flows in Reach 2.

The May unregulated inflows into Flaming Gorge for the next three months projects above average. May, June, and July forecasted unregulated inflow volumes amount to 415,000 af (167 percent of average), 490,000 af (126 percent of average), and 207,000 af (103 percent of average), respectively. The May water supply forecast of the April through July unregulated inflow volume into Flaming Gorge Reservoir is 1,300,000 acre-feet (135% of average). Due to the May official forecast Upper Green April – July forecast being at a 31% exceedance value, spring operations will use an average hydrologic classification operation.

To view the most current reservoir elevation, content, inflow and release, click on: Flaming Gorge Reservoir Data.”

What this means:

We should see a consistent flow of 800 - 850 CFS for the foreseeable future. I do not know when the Spring flush will occur, but will update my reports when I do. It sounds like it will happen much later than normal this year. River temperatures are approximately 42.1 degrees Fahrenheit. Current snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is sitting at 87 percent of normal. Current snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is sitting at 122 percent of normal.

The baetis hatch is still lingering in certain spots along the A section and there still is a decent midge hatch. I have heard some crickets around and there are some fish starting to hang out in the shallow riffles so you can pick those fish off on a cricket or a dry dropper rig.

River clarity is a thing. Flows out of the dam are a little off color and Pipe Creek is pouring lots of off color water into the A section. Once you get below Roller Coaster Rapid the river clarity is decent. Once Gorge Creek comes in at the bottom of A the river becomes off color until it is blown by Red Creek.

For nymphs: Zebra midges size (18-20) in a variety of different colors, blue wing patterns size (16-18) in dark olive of black color ways. Purple usually works as well when the water is off color. Scuds always produce on the stretches of water close to the dam size (18-20).

For dries: Blue wing cripples size (16-18), Cluster midges size 16, a variety of other smaller midge patterns will work as well, a Paracricket or chubby in a size 12 will cover the winter stone flies or will hold up a dry dropper rig.

For streamers: Usually this time of the year is all about olive, but white, gold, and black will also work.

Southwest Wyoming Fishing Report

From the Bureau of Reclamation:

“As of May 4, 2023, the Fontenelle Reservoir pool elevation is 6475.71 feet, which amounts to 41 percent of live storage capacity. Inflows for the month of April totaled approximately 75,085 acre-feet (af) or 89 percent of average.

Ice along the Green River has thawed, and spring releases have started. Releases from the dam will increase throughout spring to meet elevation targets. Per the May final forecast, maximum total release rates are forecasted to occur in late June at approximately 5,000 cfs, subject to hydrology.

The May final forecast for unregulated inflows into Fontenelle for the next three months projects above average conditions. May, June, and July Most Probable inflow volumes amount to 240,000 af (137 percent of average), 335,000 af (109 percent of average), and 180,000 af (107 percent of average), respectively.

Please refer to the following link for Green River flow projections, through Green River, WY, provided by the Colorado River Basin Forecast Center: CBRFC Green River, WY Projection

To view the most current reservoir elevation, content, inflow and release, click on: Fontenelle Reservoir Data.”

What this means:

Releases from Fontenelle Reservoir are currently at 4,690 CFS. Water temps are around 48.7 degrees Fahrenheit. Snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is currently at 87 percent of normal. Snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is currently at 122 percent of normal.

Fishing has been slow lately, but as water temperature rises the fishing should begin to pick up.