What’s up with the dramatic decline in release flows from Weber
Dam? In July, EID’s online charts show they released less than 1
cubic feet per second. This is a dramatic decline compared to
previous years. In 2008, July flows were 3.95 cfs; in 2009,
3.71; 2010, 4.32; and 2011, 4.52. In other words, this July EID
did not even release one-quarter as much water from Weber Dam as
they have averaged during July in the past four years. Some may
believe this is because Weber Reservoir has less water stored
than in previous years. To the contrary, the volume of water now
stored in Weber Dam is now greater than at any time in the past
four years. Again, from EID’s online data, here are the volume
totals at the end of July for each of the past four years: 2008,
626 acre feet; 2009, 821; 2010, 923; 2011, 1056; 2012, 1077. So
EID simultaneously has record high storage behind Weber Dam and
record low releases. I think there’s a good story there for your
paper to investigate. Editor’s note — According to District
Counsel