Glen Canyon Dam 2012 High Flow Experimental Release
Water being released from Glen Canyon Dam river
outlet tubes during 2012 High Flow Experiment
outlet tubes during 2012 High Flow Experiment
2012 High Flow Experiment Snapshot
Schedule & Duration
- Nov. 18 - began upramp to powerplant capacity
- Nov. 19 - bypass tubes opened at 12:00 p.m. -
Nov. 23 at 7:00 p.m. - Total duration: 5 days; 1 day at peak release
- Ramp up: 1,500 cfs/hr from 9,000 - 42,300 cfs
- Ramp down: 200 cfs/hr from 42,300 cfs to
31,300 cfs - Ramp down: 1000 cfs/hr from 31,300 cfs to
27,300 cfs - Ramp down: 1,500 cfs/hr from 27,300 cfs
- Maximum total release: 42,300 cfs
- Powerplant capacity: 27,300 cfs
- River outlet tubes: 15,000 cfs
- Hydropower generation units: 8
- River outlet tubes: 4
- Releases will range from 7,000 - 9,000 cfs
prior to and after the HFE - Lake elevation is projected to decrease by
2.5 feet
With the new science-based protocol in place for conducting more frequent high flow experimental releases from Glen Canyon Dam, the Department of the Interior will initiate the first such release based on the new guidelines beginning November 18, 2012.
The protocol allows for more frequent HFE releases to be conducted when the right conditions exist, through the year 2020. The goal is to determine the effectiveness of multiple HFE releases in rebuilding and conserving sandbars, beaches, and associated backwater habitats that have been lost or depleted since the dam's construction and operation.
Featured Information
- VIDEO PODCASTS:
- "2012 Canyon Dam Experimental High Flow Event"
- "Experimental High Flows Part of Adaptively Managing Glen Canyon Dam" - featuring Anne Castle, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Water and Science
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Downstream Flow Arrival Timing Map
- National Park Service HFE & Campsite Bulletin
Related Information
- Fact Sheet - "High Flow Releases at Glen Canyon Dam"
- Environmental Assessment - Protocol for High-flow Experimental Releases from Glen Canyon Dam through 2020
- Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program web site
- 2008 High-Flow Experiment web site
- Circular 1366 - "Three Experimental High Flow Releases...Effects on Downstream River Ecosystem"
- Fact Sheet - "Three Experimental High Flow Releases...Effects on Downstream Colorado River Ecosystem"
- Fact Sheet - "2008 High Flow Experiment... Benefits Colorado River Resources in Grand Canyon National Park"
- Fact Sheet - "Sediment Transport During Three Controlled Flood Experiments..."
Media Resources
- News Release - 11/19/12
- Media Advisory - 11/08/12 "Experimental Release from Glen Canyon Dam to Benefit Grand Canyon"
- B-roll video footage from 2012 HFE
- B-roll video footage from 2008 HFE
- Photos from 2012 HFE
- Photos from 2008 HFE