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News Releases

  • Missouri River upper basin runoff forecast lowered due to dry conditions

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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.

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