US Army Corps of Engineers
Northwestern Division Website

Home / Media / News Releases

News Releases

Results:
Archive: 2017
Clear

  • Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee to Meet in Omaha

    The Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee (MRRIC) will hold its 38th meeting here Aug. 8-10, 2017. The meeting will be at the DoubleTree by Hilton Omaha Downtown, 1616 Dodge St., Omaha, NE 68102, beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, and concluding at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10. The draft MRRIC meeting agenda can be found online at www.MRRIC.org.

  • Drought conditions expand in Upper Missouri River Basin; Gavins Point releases lowered in early July

    Drought conditions in the upper Missouri River basin have expanded and intensified during the past month, reducing inflows to the Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir System. As a result, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Missouri River Basin Water Management Division made a slight reduction in Gavins Point releases this week, from 33,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 32,000 cfs. Gavins Point releases were held steady at 33,000 cfs during June. The total volume of water stored in the reservoir system is currently 61.8 MAF and is nearing its annual peak. With approximately 65 percent of the flood control storage remaining, the reservoirs remain well positioned to capture runoff from summer rainfall events in the upper basin. The vacant flood control storage will also allow for future reductions in Gavins Point releases in response to summer rainfall events in the lower basin if necessary. The 2017 runoff forecast in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa, is 28.5 MAF, 113 percent of normal. Runoff above Sioux City, Iowa in June was 5.8 MAF, 106 percent of normal. The melt of the mountain snowpack is complete and inflows to the reservoirs are declining.

  • Missouri River sandbars closed during nesting season

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reminds residents that many sandbars with active piping plover and interior least tern nests are closed for recreational use during the nesting season which runs from mid-May through August in order to protect chicks and increase populations.

  • Corps incorporating draft MRRMP EIS public comments, preparing biological assessment

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is reviewing comments received regarding the draft Missouri River Recovery Program-Environmental Impact Statement as it moves toward preparing a final EIS which is anticipated to be released in summer 2018. “Public comments are a crucial element in developing the final EIS and record of decision,” said Maj. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon, commanding general, Northwestern Division, USACE.

  • Gavins Point releases increased as downstream flows recede

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Missouri River Basin Water Management Division increased releases from Gavins Point in late-May as tributaries downstream of Gavins Point receded. Releases from Gavins Point had been reduced to 20,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) in mid-May to lessen flooding along the lower Missouri River due to widespread, heavy rainfall in parts of Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. Releases are expected to remain at the current rate of 33,000 cfs through June. The mainstem reservoir system began the 2017 runoff season with the full 16.3 million acre-feet (MAF) of flood control storage available. The total volume of water stored in the reservoir system is currently 60.5 MAF.

  • President's Fiscal 2018 Budget for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Program released

    The President’s Budget for fiscal year 2018 (FY 2018) includes $5.002 billion in gross discretionary funding for the Civil Works program of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). "The fiscal 2018 Civil Works budget for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reflects the administration's priorities to support and improve the nation's economy and infrastructure, and to protect the American people," said Mr. Doug Lamont, senior official performing the duties of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. "This Budget supports the core mission areas of coastal and inland navigation, reducing flood risks from riverine flooding and along our coasts, and restoring aquatic ecosystems.”

  • Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee to Meet in Sioux Falls

    The Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee (MRRIC) will hold its 37th meeting in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, May 23-25, 2017. The meeting will be at the Sioux Falls Convention Center, 1101 N. West Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57104, beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday, May 23, and concluding at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, May 25. The draft MRRIC meeting agenda can be found online at www.MRRIC.org.

  • Gavins Point releases reduced to lessen downstream flooding

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Missouri River Basin Water Management Division reduced releases from Gavins Point in early May. Downstream Missouri River and tributary flows increased due to widespread, heavy rainfall in parts of Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. “Rainfall events like we’ve seen recently can cause localized flooding downstream of the reservoir system. Gavins Point releases were reduced from 30,000 cfs to 21,000 cfs over several days to lesson downstream flooding,” said Jody Farhat, chief of the Corps’ Missouri River Basin Water Management Division. Releases from Gavins Point will be increased as downstream flows recede. “Flood risk reduction remains a primary consideration. While the risk of widespread flooding from upper basin runoff is low this year, floods can and will occur as a result of spring and summer thunderstorms, particularly along the lower Missouri River,” said Farhat. When possible, the Corps will utilize the available flood control space in the reservoirs to limit downstream river levels; however, the ability to significantly reduce flood risk along the lower Missouri River diminishes at locations further downstream due to the large uncontrolled drainage area and the travel time from Gavins Point Dam.

  • Missouri River public meeting in Pierre cancelled; rescheduled as webinar for April 18

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Missouri River Basin Water Management Division cancelled the spring public meeting scheduled in Pierre, SD today, April 13, due to fog which prevented Corps officials from landing at the local airport. The meeting will be rescheduled as a webinar next Tuesday, April 18 at 1:00 CT.

  • April Missouri River update; spring public meetings to be held April 11-13

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Missouri River Basin Water Management Division will hold five public meetings next week to update stakeholders on the planned operation of the Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir System. The public meetings will include a presentation from the Corps regarding current basin conditions and plans for operating the reservoir system in 2017, followed by a question and answer session. There will also be an opportunity for members of the public to speak one-on-one with Corps officials before and after the meetings. The reservoir system began the 2017 runoff season at the base of the annual flood control pool, providing the full 16.3 million acre-feet (MAF) of flood control storage. The total volume of water stored in the reservoir system is currently 58.5 MAF. “System storage currently occupies 2.4 MAF of the 16.3 MAF flood control zone,” said Jody Farhat, chief of the Corps of Engineers’ (Corps) Missouri River Basin Water Management Division. “Approximately 85 percent of the flood control storage remains available to capture runoff from the spring rainfall and mountain snowmelt.” All significant plains snowpack has melted.