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Category: Water Management - Missouri River
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  • Widespread rainfall leads to continued high runoff; Gavins Point releases to remain at high levels for the summer and fall

    Much-above average runoff in the upper Missouri River basin (above Sioux City, Iowa) extended into May following widespread and heavy rainfall in South Dakota and Nebraska. Additionally, widespread and heavy rainfall in the lower basin, particularly in Kansas, has led to large tributary and Missouri River flows downstream of the six main stem reservoirs on the Missouri River. May runoff in the upper basin was 8.9 million acre feet (MAF), which is 267 percent of average. The average May runoff is 3.3 MAF. May runoff was the second highest on record, only surpassed by 2011’s 9.2 MAF. Runoff in the Fort Randall Dam to Gavins Point Dam reach was 1.4 MAF, which is more than the average annual runoff for that reach.

  • Gavins Point releases will step up to 75,000 cfs this weekend

    Releases from Gavins Point Dam will increase by 5,000 cubic feet per second Saturday, June 1 to 75,000 cfs. Releases were increased to 70,000 cfs on Wednesday. “Runoff into the upper Missouri River above Sioux City has remained high, and unfortunately, the rain continues to fall in the places we don’t need it,” said John Remus, Chief of the Missouri River Basin Water Management Division.

  • Corps announces incremental release increases from Gavins Point Dam due to continued high inflows

    Releases from Gavins Point Dam will increase by 5,000 cubic feet per second today (May 28) and an additional 5,000 cfs tomorrow. Over the last seven days, rainfall over much of Nebraska, South Dakota and central North Dakota has been 200 to 600% of normal for this time of year. The continued rain has led to higher inflows at Oahe, Big Bend, Fort Randall, and Gavins Point Dams.

  • Missouri River Water Managers communicate runoff concerns to basin leaders

    "The ground is very wet, and weather patterns have been very active, just about any significant rainfall in north central Nebraska, and central and or western South Dakota will likely require an increase in releases from Gavins Point Dam in order to manage pools levels at Oahe and Fort Randall dams," said John Remus, Chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Northwestern Division, Missouri River Basin Water Management Division.

  • Releases from Gavins Point Dam stepping up on Thursday to 60,000 cfs to address recent rain

    Releases from Gavins Point Dam are forecast to increase to 60,000 cfs beginning Thursday, May 23. The decision comes after precipitation totaling between 2 to 5 inches, fell over central Nebraska and much of South Dakota over the last 2 to 5 days. Because of the rain, inflows into Oahe, Big Bend, Fort Randall, and Gavins Point Dams have been increasing and causing pool levels to rise. The forecast rise at Oahe Dam and Fort Randall Dam includes storing runoff in their exclusive flood control zones. Higher releases from Gavins Point Dam will allow more water to pass through the system and slow the rise in the pool levels at these project.

  • Near-record April runoff leads to continued above-average Gavins Point releases

    Much above average runoff continues in the upper Missouri River basin. April runoff in the upper basin, the Missouri River above Sioux City, Iowa, was 7.8 million acre feet (MAF), the third highest April runoff in the 121 years of record. The average April runoff is 2.9 MAF. Runoff in the Gavins Point Dam to Sioux City reach was 2.3 MAF, the second highest April runoff for this reach. The total March-April runoff for the upper basin was 18.7 MAF, which is the highest March-April runoff since record-keeping began in 1898, exceeding the previous record of 15.9 MAF, which occurred in 1952.