Some Fort Peck releases passing through spillway

Yesterday morning, July 15, releases from Fort Peck Dam were increased from 12,000 cubic feet per second (CFS) to 15,000 CFS. 

The Fort Peck power house is releasing 12,000 cfs and the additional 3,000 cfs is being released through two spillway gates.

The two gates were each opened approximately 1.6 feet to achieve the 3,000 cfs release rate. 

Releases from Fort Peck are projected to remain at 15,000 cfs through the end of August to evacuate runoff from the reservoir's flood control zone.

In comparison, peak releases in 2018 from Fort Peck Dam were 20,000 cfs.

No significant impacts are expected from increased releases as inflows from downstream tributaries into the Garrison Dam continued to decline. 

The public, especially river users, need to monitor changing water conditions over the next few days for potential impacts to irrigation intakes, pump sites, and river access sites. Boaters should use extra caution in areas downstream of the spillway.