Northwestern Division News Releases

Missouri River upper basin runoff forecast lowered due to dry conditions

Press Operations — Wed, 06 May 2026 16:40:05 GMT

The updated 2026 calendar year runoff forecast for the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa, continues to be below average. April runoff in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City was 1.5 million acre-feet, 51% of average. The 2026 calendar year runoff forecast above Sioux City is 17.1 MAF, 67% of average. The runoff forecast is based on current soil moisture conditions, mountain snowpack, and long-term precipitation and temperature outlooks.

Spring fish operations begin on Snake, Columbia rivers

Press Operations — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:49:00 GMT

Spring fish passage operations began April 3 at federal dams on the lower Snake River and will begin April 10 on the lower Columbia River.

Dry March leads to reduction in annual basin runoff forecast

Press Operations — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:40:54 GMT

The updated 2026 calendar year runoff forecast for the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa, continues to be below average. March runoff in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City was 1.7 million acre-feet, 56% of average.

Join USACE water managers for public meetings on Missouri River system operations

Press Operations — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 16:19:00 GMT

After a season of virtual-only updates, USACE Missouri River water managers look forward to meeting with members of the public in person this spring. The public is invited to join the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local weather experts for a series of briefings on the 2026 runoff season, reservoir status, and our planned operations for the year ahead.

Dry outlook persists for Missouri River despite early spring runoff; Navigation support to begin mid-March

Press Operations — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 19:48:49 GMT

Warm February temperatures triggered early snowmelt and runoff in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa, but the overall 2026 runoff forecast remains well below average. February runoff was 1.3 million acre-feet, 113% of average. Despite this above average runoff in the Garrison, Oahe, and Gavins Point reaches, the full-year runoff forecast above Sioux City, Iowa is 20.6 MAF, 80% of average.

Lower than normal runoff expected for the Missouri River Basin in 2026

Press Operations — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 21:04:41 GMT

January runoff in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City was 1.0 million acre-feet, which is 132% of average. Runoff was above average for all of the reaches in the upper Missouri River Basin, even though most of the upper Basin had below-normal precipitation. This was due to above average temperatures causing early snowmelt.

Forecast shows Missouri River runoff returning to more normal levels after below-average 2025

Press Operations — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 16:36:44 GMT

For the 2025 calendar year, Missouri River basin runoff above Sioux City, Iowa totaled 19.9 million acre-feet, 78% of average. For 2026, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is forecasting runoff in the Missouri River basin above Sioux City, Iowa to be near- average at 24.5 MAF, 96% of average.

Federal water managers take precautions by adjusting water levels behind John Day dam as precipitation mounts

Press Operations — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 18:05:57 GMT

Federal water managers at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will adjust water levels behind John Day Dam (Lake Umatilla), in north-central Oregon, this week to prepare for another round of heavy precipitation in the Columbia River Basin. This will be the third atmospheric river storm event within the last two weeks.

Gavins Point Dam releases reduced to winter release rate

Press Operations — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 06:43:00 GMT

Reduced releases from the Gavins Point Dam to the winter release rate on began Nov. 23 with the navigation flow support season ending on Dec. 1 at St. Louis. “Releases from Gavins Point Dam are being reduced to the 12,000 cubic feet per second winter release rate by mid-December,” said John Remus, Chief of the Missouri River Water Management Division. “We will closely monitor river conditions, and releases will be adjusted to the extent practical to lessen the impacts of river ice formation on stages in the lower river.” Releases were at 26,000 cfs prior to the reductions.

Gavins Point Dam releases to be reduced to winter release rate

Press Operations — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 03:54:00 GMT

Releases from Gavins Point Dam will be reduced in late November as flow support to navigation ends. Releases are currently 25,500 cubic feet per second (cfs). “We will continue to make releases from Gavins Point Dam to provide flow support at a level 4,500 cfs less than full service, through the end of the navigation flow support season, which ends on Dec. 1 at the mouth of the Missouri River,” said John Remus, chief of the USACE, Missouri River Water Management Division.

Virtual Missouri River fall public meeting in-lieu of canceled meetings

Press Operations — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 17:06:56 GMT

In-person public meetings on Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir system operations, which were scheduled for Monday, Oct. 27; Monday, Nov. 3; and Tuesday, Nov. 4 have been canceled. A virtual meeting on Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir system operations is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 30 to present the draft 2025-2026 Annual Operating Plan.

September runoff above average; Fall public meetings set

Press Operations — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 16:57:00 GMT

Although overall runoff for September 2025 in the upper Missouri River Basin was above average, runoff in the Fort Peck and Garrison reaches continues to be well-below average. “Beneficial rainfall occurred over central South Dakota and North Dakota in September resulting in well-above average runoff into Oahe, Big Bend, Fort Randall, and Gavins Point,” said John Remus, chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Missouri River Basin Water Management Division.

System storage declining, Gavins Point Dam's winter releases will be minimum rate

Press Operations — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 21:26:28 GMT

August runoff was 1.5 million acre-feet, 109% of average above Sioux City with most of the runoff entering the System below Garrison Dam. September runoff in the upper Basin is forecast to be well below average, especially in the Fort Peck and Garrison reaches. The updated 2025 calendar year forecast for the upper Basin is 19.1 MAF, 74% of average. Average annual runoff for the upper Basin is 25.7 MAF.

Heat wave spikes temps and hydropower demand

Press Operations — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 14:50:00 GMT

With regional temperatures spiking during this week’s heat wave, the demand for electricity follows. As people turn on fans, air conditioners and other cooling devices, power providers rely on hydropower because dams can bring turbines on quickly, to add immediate supply and provide grid stability.

Below normal runoff continues in the Upper Missouri Basin

Press Operations — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 12:30:00 GMT

July runoff in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa was 2.0 million acre-feet (MAF), 62% of average. Runoff was below-average in the Fort Peck and Garrison reaches with average to above-average runoff in the lower four reaches. The annual runoff forecast above Sioux City, Iowa is 19.2 MAF, 75% of average.

June runoff much below average; Navigation flow support decreased slightly after System storage check

Press Operations — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 05:17:54 GMT

June runoff in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa was 3.3 million acre-feet, 60% of average. The updated 2025 calendar year runoff forecast for the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa, continues to be below average.

May runoff average; Missouri River upper basin runoff forecast below normal

Press Operations — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 12:57:41 GMT

The updated 2025 calendar year runoff forecast for the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa, continues to be below average. May runoff in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City was 3.4 million acre-feet, 100% of average.

Releases from Garrison Dam to be temporarily lowered

Press Operations — Mon, 12 May 2025 16:43:47 GMT

To assist with the recovery of a tugboat that sank on the Missouri River on Tuesday, May 6, releases from Garrison Dam will be reduced.

Missouri River upper basin runoff forecast lowered due to dry conditions

Press Operations — Thu, 08 May 2025 15:12:45 GMT

The updated 2025 calendar year runoff forecast for the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa, continues to be below average. April runoff in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City was 1.4 million acre-feet, 48% of average.

Early spate of drownings raises concerns before heart of recreation season

Press Operations — Wed, 07 May 2025 15:09:33 GMT

Drowning has claimed seven lives already this year at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) recreation areas across the Midwest. A common factor in each of these incidents: none of the victims were wearing a life jacket.