Green River Basin

Statements of Qualifications : Hydrologic Data Needs: BID #24-0380

The Wyoming State Engineer’s Office (SEO) will accept Statement of Interest (SOI) and State of Qualifications (SOQ) submissions in accordance with W.S. § 9-23-104 and W.S. § 9-23-105 through February 20, 2024 in an effort to identify contractors that can perform one or more of the tasks described in the list provided below, in the Colorado River Basin of Wyoming. Funding for these projects may be state, federal or a combination of state and federal funding sources. These categories are not mutually exclusive, and applicants are encouraged to include qualifications related to all project types that are appropriate.  Request for Proposals (RFP) will be developed for each project.  Each RFP will be sent to 3-5 qualified firms in accordance with W.S. § 9-23-105 .

The SOQ may pertain to:

1.       evaluation of transit and/or conveyance losses of streams and ditches from varying drainage types

2.       study of consumptive use (e.g., field scale water balance methods and/or remote sensing methods)

a.       irrigation practices that forgo free river

b.       irrigation practices that forgo the diversion of the “surplus” or “excess” water rights[1], and/or forgoing reservoir water

c.       deficit and/or partial season fallowing irrigation practices

d.       other irrigation methods or crop types on specific field types

e.       investigate consumptive use of sub-irrigated areas

3.       analysis of the consumptive use of water rights

4.       investigate water use shortages due to water right regulation during historical hydrologic fluctuations

5.       analysis of irrigated agriculture consumptive use and conserved consumptive use using remote sensing methods

6.       data investigation

a.       identifying data gaps that pertain to hydrology in various Wyoming subbasins of the Colorado River

7.   modeling

a.       design and implement hydrologic data collection methods practicable to modeling efforts

b.       hydrologic model development including the use of the RiverWare modeling platform

8.       analysis of existing water administration and consumptive use data at a basin scale  

9.       investigate water banking practices/laws

10.   water resource studies and investigations       

Conflict of Interest: Applicants shall disclose to the SEO any direct or indirect interests that may present a conflict, to any extent, with the fulfillment of the required services. The SEO reserves the right to, at its discretion, either waive a potential conflict of interest, to the extent that it is waivable, or consider it in the final award decisions and/or adjust the Scope of Work accordingly.

REQUIRED SUBMITTALS AND SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: 

Prospective consultants and sub-consultants wishing to be considered for any of the listed projects shall submit Statements of Qualification (SOQ) – 254 forms, Statements of Interest (SOI) – 255 forms, and Wyoming Resident Firm Certification forms (if applicable) to the State Engineer’s Office. Firms offering "professional services" and claiming "resident firm" status as defined by W.S. § 9-23-102 shall submit for each project of interest a Wyoming Resident Firm Certification form. The form certifies that the firm is legally registered and in good standing  with the Wyoming Secretary of State's Office; possesses a physical office residing within  the State of Wyoming staffed by qualified individuals with professional and technical  expertise who are employed in the state; and if the firm is selected for the project, it will  ensure that the applicable percentage of the contract costs for professional services, as  set forth in Wyoming Statute § 9-23-102(a)(vi)(B), shall be performed by individuals or  consultants who are employed in the State of Wyoming, who will perform their labor or  professional services provided under the contract within the boundaries of the State of  Wyoming, and who shall possess the professional and technical qualifications necessary  to perform the work required by the contract. 

**254/255/Resident Firm Certification forms may be submitted electronically, in a COMBINED pdf format to mel.fegler@wyo.gov. If you choose to submit electronically, PLEASE submit a complete package, including 254s for prime and sub-consultants as well as your 255 and Resident Firm Certification (if applicable) in a single combined PDF. Please send a separate email for each project you’re submitting materials for along with contact information including email, phone number and primary office location doing the work. 

If you choose to submit via mail, please provide two (2) copies each of your 254, 255, and Resident Firm Certification form (if applicable) as well as any 254s of sub consultants.  An email address MUST be provided for distribution of RFP’s and correspondence, see box #4 on form 254. Firms offering professional engineering services must provide their Board issued Wyoming license number. 

Copies of forms 254 and 255, along with the Wyoming Resident Firm Certification form may be accessed on the WWDC website at:  http://wwdc.state.wy.us/consultants/consultant_selection.html.

Consultants will be selected by the WSEO to prepare proposals, as per W.S. § 9-23-104, and W.S. § 9-23-105 using information contained in the SOQ of the prime consultant and any sub-consultants, the SOI of the prime consultant, and the Wyoming Resident Firm Certification form (if applicable).      

The SOQ, SOI, and Wyoming Resident Firm Certification (if applicable), via email or mail, must be received by the SEO no later than 5:00 p.m. on February 20, 2024. This notice may be accessed on the SEO website at https://seo.wyo.gov/interstate-streams/know-your-basins/green-river-basin. 

Submit SOQ’s, SOI’s and Certification forms to:

Please email your qualifications to Melinda Fegler, mel.fegler@wyo.gov no later than 5 pm, MST, February 20, 2024.

[1] Wyoming Statute § 41-4-318 & 41-4-329

Q1: Are primary contractors and subcontractors allowed to submit an SOQ collaboratively to incorporate listed objectives?

Answer: Yes. Please follow the instructions for collaborative submittals included with forms 254 and 255 on the WWDO webpage

Q2: Are there differences between the State Engineer's objective concerning transit loss and Water Development's Conveyance Loss study?

Answer: The primary difference between both the SEO's request for transit losses and/or conveyance losses from the WWDO Conveyance Loss study is that the SEO's objective is to focus on different tributaries and drainages. 

Q3: Can a firm listed as a subcontractor on a separate SOQ submission, submit an SOQ for that subcontract firm as the sole and primary SOQ?

Answer: Yes. SOQ submission can be both combined and singular. 

Q4: If there is potential for a subcontractor listed in an SOQ to be chosen individually or as a primary for any of the RFPs, should multiple SOQs be submitted?

Answer: This strategy is purely up to individual firms or teams of firms. For this specific SOQ request multiple submissions will be readily accepted. 

Q5: Do firms need to turn in one SOQ with all relative objectives included or an SOQ for each objective?

Answer: Include all qualifications that fulfil objectives on one SOQ. The organization of qualifications is up to the submission authors.

Q6: Federal funding qualification stipulations?

Answer: Refer to W.S. § 9-23-105 (g) 

Q7: What should educational institutions do if there are form questions that need clarification for each institution's specific scenario?

Answer: Please call Mel Fegler at (307) 777-7803

2/6/2024 Flaming Gorge Reservoir Operations Update

Beginning on February 7, 2024, the daily average release from Flaming Gorge Dam shall decrease from 2,120 cfs to 2,020 cfs. The daily average release of 2,020 cfs will continue thereafter or until a new notification is issued. The reductions in Flaming Gorge Dam daily average release are scheduled as follows.

11/29/2023 Fontenelle Reservoir Operations Update

Beginning on November 29, 2023, the daily average release from Flaming Gorge Dam shall increase from 1,450 cfs to 2,120 cfs, according to the schedule below.  The average daily release of 2,120 cfs will continue thereafter or until a new notification is issued.  

As outlined in LaGory et al., 2019, differences in mean daily flow between days could be up to 300 cfs (instead of being limited to 3% of the previous day’s flow) without violating the 0.1 m/day limit on stage change when transitioning from one flow regime to another.  

LaGory et al., 2019 is available online at the following link: 

https://coloradoriverrecovery.org/uc/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/GREAT-Final-Report_Oct-2019_508_2.pdf 

11/16/2023 Fontenelle Reservoir Operations Update

Fontenelle Dam releases need to be adjusted due to changes in hydrologic conditions.

This release change constitutes the start of the winter base flow period.   

The scheduled releases at Fontenelle Dam are as follows: 

Date 11/16/2023

Local Time 10:00 am

Initial Hourly Release 1,100 cfs

Change + 75 cfs

Final Hourly Release 1,175 cfs

The release of 1,175 cfs will continue until further notice. 

5/23/2023 Fontenelle Reservoir Operations Update

Based on increasing reservoir inflows, releases from Fontenelle Dam are scheduled to be increased from 3,500 cfs to 4,500 cfs on May 24, 2023 beginning at 10:00 am MDT (local time) according to the following schedule. Bypass will be used to achieve the needed releases as scheduled above. Power release is currently at the maximum allowed release at the current pool elevation and will not change. The average daily release of 4,500 cfs will continue until further notice.  

5/18/2023 Flaming Gorge Reservoir Operations Update

The Yampa River is projected to exceed Flood Stage of 20,744 cfs on May 20, 2023, reaching a peak of approximately 24,400 cfs on May 26, 2023. The projected peak flow exceeds the threshold for moderate flooding.  For more detailed information on Yampa River flows, please see the CBRFC website: https://www.cbrfc.noaa.gov/dbdata/station/flowgraph/flowgraph_hc.html?id=YDLC2&linear_flow=0# 

The Green River near Jensen is projected to exceed Flood stage on May 23, 2023, reaching a maximum projected flow of approximately 24,800 cfs on May 26, 2023.  Releases from Flaming Gorge Reservoir are planned to remain at the minimum release of 800 cfs.  Also, the Flaming Gorge spring peak release is not planned to be implemented until after the Yampa River has started to decrease.  The spring peak releases are planned to be implemented to achieve Reach 2 targets of 18,600 cfs, much below the flood stage of 24,100 cfs in the Jensen Area. For more information regarding projected flows on the Green River near Jensen, please visit the following website: https://www.cbrfc.noaa.gov/dbdata/station/flowgraph/flowgraph_hc.html?id=JESU1&linear_flow=0# 

Forecasted (tentative) hourly release schedules for Flaming Gorge Reservoir can be found by visiting the Colorado River Basin Forecast Center at this website: https://www.cbrfc.noaa.gov/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?GRZU1.  Additionally, the Green River near Green River, Utah is projected to exceed the Action Stage of 32,209 cfs on May 24, 2023, reaching an estimated peak of about 35,000 cfs on May 26th, 2023. For more information regarding projected flows on the Green River near Green River, Utah, please visit the following website: https://www.cbrfc.noaa.gov/dbdata/station/flowgraph/flowgraph_hc.html?id=GRVU1&linear_flow=0.

Please use caution when recreating on or near swift moving water.

5/17/2023 Fontenelle Reservoir Operations Update

Based on increasing reservoir inflows, releases from Fontenelle Dam are scheduled to be increased from 3,500 cfs to 3,850 cfs on May 18, 2023 beginning at 10:00 am MDT (local time). Bypass will be used to achieve the needed releases. Power release is currently at the maximum allowed release at the current pool elevation and will not change. The average daily release of 3,850 cfs will continue until further notice.

5/15/2023 Fontenelle Reservoir Operations Update

Based on increasing reservoir inflows, releases from Fontenelle Dam are scheduled to be increased from 2,450 cfs to 3,500 cfs on May 15, 2023 beginning at 4:00 pm MDT (local time) according to the following schedule. Bypass will be used to achieve the needed releases as scheduled above. Power release is currently at the maximum allowed release at the current pool elevation and will not change. The average daily release of 3,500 cfs will continue until further notice.

5/1/2023 Flaming Gorge Reservoir Operations Update

4/2/2023 Flaming Gorge Reservoir Operations Update

Due to continuing maintenance needs, the daily average release from Flaming Gorge Dam is scheduled to remain at 800 cfs. Releases will be made through either the bypass or the power plant but are planned to be maintained at 800 cfs total release at all times with no hourly fluctuations. The average daily release of 800 cfs will continue until a new notification is sent.      

3/24/2023 Flaming Gorge Reservoir Operations Update

I wanted to clarify the previous notification. I erroneously included a sentence stating the hourly release schedules may include daily fluctuations to meet power demand contracts. The minimum Flaming Gorge streamflow release is 800 cfs, so when the average daily release is adjusted to 800 cfs on March 27th, there will not be any hourly fluctuations in the release schedule.  Daily releases will be a flat 800 cfs. The forecasted (tentative) hourly release schedules have been updated on the Colorado River Basin Forecast Center at this website: https://www.cbrfc.noaa.gov/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?GRZU1. Tabulated hourly data can be found on the same page under the link, “Hourly Forecast Flow csv” in the lower right hand corner of the webpage. This data is considered the most likely scenario given the current forecast, is general, and is subject to changing conditions. 

3/23/2023 Flaming Gorge Reservoir Operations Update

Flaming Gorge Dam will be undergoing regularly scheduled maintenance over the next couple of weeks. Accordingly, the daily average release from Flaming Gorge Dam is scheduled to be decreased beginning on March 27th, 2023 from 925 cfs to 800 cfs. During the period from March 27th at 7:00 am MDT (local time) through March 31st at 5:00 pm MDT, releases will be made through either the bypass or the power plant but are planned to be maintained at 800 cfs total release at all times. The average daily release of 800 cfs will continue until a new notification is sent. Hourly release schedules issued by WAPA for power production may include daily fluctuations to meet power demand contracts.  

3/14/2023 Flaming Gorge Reservoir Operations Update

Based on improvements in the current hydrology, as well as the current reservoir conditions, Reclamation managers and operators deem it prudent to make additional operational adjustments consistent with the 2006 Record of Decision.  The daily average release from Flaming Gorge Dam is scheduled to be decreased beginning on March 16, 2023 from 1,175 cfs to 925 cfs according to the schedule below. The average daily release of 925 cfs will continue until a new notification is sent. Hourly release schedules issued by WAPA for power production may include daily fluctuations to meet power demand contracts.     

2/1/2023 Flaming Gorge Reservoir Operations Update

The hourly pattern for releases from Flaming Gorge Dam is scheduled to be adjusted based on the following chart beginning on February 1, 2023.  The current average daily release of 1,760 cfs remains unchanged and will continue until a new notification is sent.  Hourly release schedules issued by WAPA for power production may include daily fluctuations to meet power demand contracts. 

12/6/2022 Flaming Gorge Reservoir Operations Update

The daily average release from Flaming Gorge Dam is scheduled to be increased beginning on December 8, 2022 from 1,700 cfs to 1,760 cfs according to the schedule below. The average daily release of 1,760 cfs will continue until a new notification is sent. Hourly release schedules issued by WAPA for power production may include daily fluctuations to meet power demand contracts.   

11/30/2022 Flaming Gorge Reservoir Operations Update

The hourly release pattern from Flaming Gorge is scheduled to be adjusted tomorrow (December 1, 2022) based on power demand/contracting considerations according to the following graph.  This hourly pattern is similar to patterns discussed in a coordination meeting earlier this year with WAPA, the Green River Outfitters and Guides Association (GROGA), and others and represents a compromise between power generation and Green River recreation interests. The daily average release will remain at 1,700 cfs and will continue until a new notification is sent. Hourly release schedules issued by WAPA for power production may include additional daily fluctuations to meet power demand contracts.  

11/17/2022 Flaming Gorge Boat Ramp Update (Anvil Closure)

The following notice was developed jointly with the National Forest Service:

CLOSURE - Anvil Draw Boat Launch Area

The Anvil Draw Boat Launch Area, located approximately 11 miles northeast of Manilla, Utah, is the first boat ramp impacted by decreasing water levels at Flaming Gorge Dam and became inoperable this week as the reservoir's elevation dropped below 6,011 feet.

As the Colorado River Basin has been experiencing prolonged drought and low runoff conditions, Lake Powell and Lake Mead storages have declined to record-low levels. Lake Powell is at risk of declining below the minimum power pool elevation of 3,490 feet, at which point it can no longer generate hydropower. To help address these declining levels, Reclamation is releasing additional water from Flaming Gorge and future releases will be considered in operational year 2023-2024.

Reclamation completed a Bathymetric survey to verify the bottom elevations of 10 boat ramps to track when they could become inoperable. 

The only dock that is projected to be impacted in water year 2023 is the Anvil Draw Boat Launch Area. 

Flaming Gorge's elevation is expected to continue to decline throughout the fall and winter months, temporarily dropping to an elevation of around 6,008 feet until spring runoff. 

To view the full boat ramp survey, visit: Flaming Gorge Reservoir 2022 Boat Ramps Survey (usbr.gov)

Current Flaming Gorge Reservoir elevations can be found here: 40-Day Data | Water Operations | UC Region | Bureau of Reclamation (usbr.gov)

11/4/2022 Flaming Gorge Reservoir Operations Update

The daily average release from Flaming Gorge Dam is scheduled to be decreased beginning on November 6, 2022 from 1,760 cfs to 1,700 cfs according to the schedule below. The average daily release of 1,700 cfs will continue until a new notification is sent. Hourly release schedules issued by WAPA for power production may include daily fluctuations to meet power demand contracts. 

11/1/2022 Flaming Gorge Boat Ramp Survey Report

The Provo Area Office of the Bureau of Reclamation completed a Bathymetric survey at each of the Flaming Gorge boat ramps and marinas in June 2022 in response to questions regarding boat ramp elevations.  The attached report summarizes the survey and findings. 

10/31/2022 Fontenelle Reservoir Operations Update

The Fontenelle Power Plant is undergoing maintenance until further notice.  Releases may switch intermittently between the bypass and power plant, though releases will remain at 1,000 cfs. 

10/19/2022 Flaming Gorge Reservoir Operations Update

The daily average release from Flaming Gorge Dam is scheduled to be decreased beginning on October 20, 2022 from 1,820 cfs to 1,760 cfs according to the schedule below. The average daily release of 1,760 cfs will continue until a new notification is sent. Hourly release schedules issued by WAPA for power production may include daily fluctuations to meet power demand contracts. 

9/22/2022 Flaming Gorge Reservoir Operations Update

Due to increased Yampa River flows, the daily average release from Flaming Gorge Dam is scheduled to be decreased beginning on September 23, 2022 from 1,880 cfs to 1,820 cfs according to the schedule below. The average daily release of 1,820 cfs will continue until a new notification is sent. Hourly release schedules issued by WAPA for power production may include daily fluctuations to meet power demand contracts.  

9/13/2022 Flaming Gorge Reservoir Operations Update

Due to increased Yampa River flows, the daily average release from Flaming Gorge Dam is scheduled to be decreased beginning on September 15, 2022 from 1,940 cfs to 1,880 cfs according to the schedule below. The average daily release of 1,880 cfs will continue until a new notification is sent. Hourly release schedules issued by WAPA for power production may include daily fluctuations to meet power demand contracts. 

9/2/2022 Fontenelle Reservoir Operations Update

Releases from Fontenelle Dam are scheduled to be decreased from 1,100 cfs to 1,000 cfs September 6th, 2022 beginning at 10:00 am MDT. 

8/30/2022 Flaming Gorge Reservoir Operations Update

Beginning on September 1, 2022, the daily average release from Flaming Gorge Dam is scheduled be increased from 1,820 cfs to 1,880 cfs according to the schedule below. The average daily release of 1,880 cfs will continue until a new notification is sent. Hourly release schedules issued by WAPA for power production may include daily fluctuations to meet power demand contracts.  

8/22/2022 Flaming Gorge Reservoir Operations Update

6/15/2022 Flaming Gorge Reservoir Operations Update

Bureau of Reclamation Flaming Gorge Operations