Because maintenance on the Colorado River Indian Tribes irrigation system will be completed earlier than expected, the process to refill Lake Moovalya will begin mid-morning on Thursday, January 15. The lake is expected to return to its normal elevation - 364.4 feet above mean sea level - by Thursday afternoon.

Lake Moovalya, the small body of water impounded behind Headgate Rock Dam north of Parker, Arizona, was lowered approximately 1 foot in elevation on January 5 to allow the maintenance activities to occur. The refill process was scheduled to begin Saturday morning, January 17.

The refill is not expected to impact releases from Parker Dam, but flows below Headgate Rock Dam will be reduced to facilitate the refill.

All river users should remember 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.

More information on Colorado River operations can be found on-line at: http://www.usbr.gov/lc/riverops.html.