6 Jul 2018

Higher-than-average releases from Missouri River Mainstem projects to continue

Due to the water currently being stored in the reservoirs and the higher-than-average runoff being forecast in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa, the service level was increased 25,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) above full service in late June to facilitate the evacuation of stored flood waters. The increased service level means that Gavins Point releases will be increased to approximately 60,000 cfs, as downstream tributary flows recede.

29 Jun 2018

Corps to step up Gavins Point releases

OMAHA, Neb. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Missouri River Basin Water Management Division has announced plans to step up releases from Gavins Point Dam. Gavins Point releases were reduced from 44,000 to 24,000 cfs in mid-June due to high flows downstream of the Missouri River mainstem reservoir system. “Gavins Point releases will be stepped up over several days in the coming week as downstream flows drop off, reaching approximately 50,000 cfs by early to mid-July,” said John Remus, Chief of the Missouri River Basin Water Management Division. “Due to the amount of water in storage, releases from all of the System dams will be maintained at higher-than-average rates over the next several months.”

21 Jun 2018

Garrison releases will increase to 60,000 CFS to address recent rainfall

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Missouri River Basin Water Management Division has announced plans to make additional release increases from Garrison Dam. “Releases are being stepped up from 52,000 cfs to 60,000 cfs,” said John Remus, Chief of the Missouri River Basin Water Management Division. “Releases will be increased over 3 days, reaching the 60,000 cfs rate on June 23.”

8 Jun 2018

Garrison Dam releases increased

In order to meet the 44,000 cfs release, the Garrison Project initiated releases of 3,000 cfs through its regulating tunnels. This release supplements the 41,000 cfs release through the power plant for a combined release of 44,000 cfs.

5 Jun 2018

Higher than average releases from Missouri River Mainstem projects to continue

Higher-than-average releases from all Missouri River System projects, including Gavins Point, will continue over the next several months. Gavins Point releases will be adjusted, when needed, in response to basin conditions. When necessary, the Corps will reduce releases from the System projects and utilize the available flood control space in the reservoirs, in order to lessen flooding downstream of all the projects. It is important to note that 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. The 2018 runoff forecast in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa, is 34.6 million acre feet (MAF), 136 percent of average.

22 May 2018

USACE increases releases from Fort Peck and Garrison Dams

Releases from Fort Peck and Garrison Dams were increased due to high inflows from rapidly melting mountain snowpack. Garrison Dam releases were stepped up from 37,000 cfs in early May to 39,000 cfs by May 23. Fort Peck Dam releases were gradually increased from 14,000 cfs in mid-May to 17,000 cfs by May 22. The Fort Peck Dam release is higher than the maximum powerhouse release, so releases are being made from both the powerhouse and spillway. Releases from Fort Peck and Garrison are expected to remain at these rates into the summer.

8 May 2018

Missouri River Mainstem projects will maintain higher than average releases

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Missouri River Basin Water Management Division plans to maintain higher-than-average releases from all System projects, including Gavins Point, over the next several months. Due to higher-than-average runoff being forecast in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa, we have increased the service level 15,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) above full service to facilitate the evacuation of stored flood waters. The increased service level means that Gavins Point releases may be increased to 42,000 cfs, and possibly higher, as downstream tributary flows recede.

5 Apr 2018

Missouri River public meetings scheduled for April 17-19 throughout basin

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Missouri River Basin Water Management Division will be conducting five public meetings throughout the basin April 17-19. The purpose of these meetings is to update the region on current hydrologic conditions and the planned operation of the mainstem reservoir system during the coming months. The 2018 runoff forecast in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa, is 30.2 million acre feet (MAF), 119 percent of average according to the Corps. “The updated forecast increased slightly from last month due to the continued accumulation of mountain and plains snowpack in the upper basin,” said John Remus, Chief of the Missouri River Basin Water Management Division. “Based on the current plains and mountain snowpack and precipitation outlooks, runoff into the Fort Peck and Garrison reservoirs is expected to be above average from March through August,” said Remus. For comparison, the 2017 runoff was 29.6 MAF, 117 percent of average.

6 Mar 2018

2018 runoff forecast above average; Public meetings to be held April 17-19

The 2018 runoff forecast in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa, is 29.0 million acre feet (MAF), 115 percent of normal according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Missouri River Water Management Division. “The updated forecast increased from last month due to the continued accumulation of mountain and plains snowpack in the upper basin,” said John Remus, Chief of the Missouri River Basin Water Management Division. “Based on the current plains and mountain snowpack, runoff into the Fort Peck and Garrison reservoirs is expected to be above average from March through July,” said Remus.

6 Feb 2018

Reservoir system prepared for 2018 runoff season

All 2017 stored flood waters were evacuated from the Missouri River mainstem reservoir system (System) as of January 15, when the total volume stored in the System reached 56.1 million acre-feet (MAF), according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Missouri River Water Management Division. “The System stands ready to capture spring runoff, reducing flood risk while providing support to other authorized project purposes,” said John Remus, Chief of the Missouri River Basin Water Management Division.