This is only the fourth year since the turn of the century with above-average flow on the Colorado River.
Colorado River flows
A wet year on the Colorado, yes, but…
jfleck at inkstain
A few thoughts from John Fleck, a writer of journalism and other things, living in New Mexico
Why are these flows called ‘Natural’ when the Lee’s Ferry Gauge is blow Glen Canyon Dam?
–Cliff
Looking back at an answer you gave me last year I see “On the Colorado, the Bureau does an exhaustive “natural flow” calculation at Lee’s Ferry to correct for all the upstream dams and diversions,”
So, NEVERMIND…
A more descriptive term that is sometimes used is “Naturalized” flow, but this can be confused with restoring actual flows for ecological purposes — so no terminology is perfect here.