BOULDER CITY, Nev. - The Bureau of Reclamation is coordinating with the Bureau of Indian Affairs to lower the water level of Lake Moovalya by approximately one foot in elevation for about three weeks beginning in mid-January 2019. Lake Moovalya is the small body of water behind Headgate Rock Dam north of Parker, Arizona. Reclamation is coordinating this activity with the Bureau of Indian Affairs to allow the Colorado River Indian Tribes to perform annual maintenance on their canals.
The drawdown is scheduled to begin the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. The one-foot drop should be completed by Tuesday afternoon, but the exact timing could vary depending on operational or environmental conditions. The drawdown is expected to have only minimal impacts on releases from Parker Dam and will not affect Colorado River flows below Headgate Rock Dam.
During the drawdown, the Lake Moovalya water level will stay at approximately elevation 363.40 feet, about one foot lower than the normal elevation of 364.40 feet. The lake should return to its normal elevation by Tuesday, February 5, 2019; however, a return to normal elevation may occur sooner or later than this date depending on operational or environmental conditions.
All river users should be aware that fluctuating or lower than normal river flows may expose or create natural hazards such as moving sandbars, gravel bars, unstable riverbanks, floating or submerged debris, or other unfamiliar obstacles. As always, caution should be exercised while using the river.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
