News Releases

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Category: Water Management - Missouri River
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  • Gavins Point winter releases will be minimum rate

    Abnormally dry or drought conditions are currently present across 73% of the Basin, with drought conditions likely to persist or worsen through November. August runoff was 1.2 million acre-feet (MAF), 86% of average above Sioux City. The updated 2024 calendar year forecast for the upper Basin is 23.8 (MAF), 92% of average. Average annual runoff for the upper Basin is 25.7 MAF.
  • Drought conditions persist in Missouri River Basin through July

    July runoff in the Missouri River basin above Sioux City, Iowa was 2.8 million acre-feet (MAF), 85% of average with below-average runoff in the upper three reaches and above-average runoff in the lower three reaches. The annual runoff forecast above Sioux City, Iowa is 23.9 MAF, 93% of average.
  • Fort Peck Dam resuming normal operations following flow test

    Test flows from Fort Peck Dam, will be ending earlier than expected.  The 2024 flow test from Fort Peck Dam was the first in a series of test flows intended to comply with the 2018 Biological Opinion.
  • System operations returning to normal post flooding

    Significant rainfall led to an above average runoff in the upper Missouri River Basin. June runoff was 6.6 million acre-feet, which is 119% of average and 2.6 MAF higher than forecast. A strong weather system moved into the basin on June 21 producing excessive rainfall in eastern South Dakota, north central and northeastern Nebraska, and northwestern Iowa. The rainfall totals exceeded 600% of normal over the 24-hour period.
  • Gavins Point releases lowered to 13,000 cfs

    Releases from Gavins Point Dam will average 13,000 cubic feet per second for Friday, June 28. The pool elevation at Gavins Point Dam is currently 1207.37 feet.
  • Gavins Point releases continue to decline

    ***Average Releases from Fort Randall were incorrectly reported as 8,600 cfs for today. The average for the day is 4,000 cfs.*** Releases from Gavins Point dam will continue to decline. Inflows into Gavins Point, primarily from the Niobrara River, have dropped to nearly 10,000 cubic feet per second with current releases from Fort Randall Dam around 1,000 cfs. Planned releases from Fort Randall Dam will average 4,000 cfs as regular power generation comes back online. Current releases from Gavins Point are 20,000 cfs and are lowering to 16,000 cfs today. All releases are being made through the powerhouse.