News Releases

7 Mar 2017

February runoff above average; Public meetings scheduled for April 11-13

Runoff in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa, was 2.4 million acre feet (MAF) during February, 219 percent of average. “Warm temperatures melted much of the plains snowpack that had accumulated throughout the winter in the upper Missouri River basin resulting in above average runoff during February,” said Jody Farhat, chief of the Corps of Engineers’ (Corps) Missouri River Basin Water Management Division. Only small areas in central North Dakota have significant plains snowpack remaining. Areas of eastern Montana and central Wyoming have less than an inch of liquid content in their remaining snowpack, and little or no snow remains elsewhere in the Dakotas. “Runoff from plains snowmelt that would normally occur in March and April started early this year and some has already entered the reservoir system,” said Farhat. “Additionally, warm temperatures released water that had been locked up in river ice, contributing to higher than average February runoff.”

6 Feb 2017

Reservoir system prepared for 2017 runoff season

The full flood control capacity of the Missouri River mainstem reservoir system is available for the 2017 runoff season, according to the U.S Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Missouri River Water Management Division. All 2016 stored flood waters were evacuated as of December 18, when the total volume stored in the reservoir system reached 56.1 million acre-feet (MAF). “The entire flood control capacity of the Mainstem Reservoir System stands ready to capture spring runoff, reducing flood risk while providing support to other authorized project purposes,” said Jody Farhat, Chief of the Missouri River Basin Water Management Division.

31 Jan 2017

Updated snowpack and reservoir conditions for week of Jan. 31 now available

Each Tuesday, the Missouri River Water Management Division will provide weekly updates on plains and mountain snowpack and mainstem reservoir conditions. “We are committed to providing everyone the most up-to-date information regarding snowpack and reservoir conditions,” said Jody Farhat, Chief of the Corps’ Missouri River Basin Water Management Division.

24 Jan 2017

Weekly updated for snowpack and reservoir conditions now available

The U.S Army Corps of Engineers is providing weekly updates on plains and mountain snowpack and mainstem reservoir conditions on their website. “Some areas of the upper basin, specifically central North Dakota and northwestern South Dakota, are experiencing significant plains snowpack this winter. As the plains and mountain snowpack accumulation periods continue this winter and early spring, we want to provide everyone the most up-to-date information regarding snowpack and reservoir conditions,” said Jody Farhat, Chief of the Corps’ Missouri River Basin Water Management Division.

9 Jan 2017

Reservoir system prepared for 2017 runoff season; Missouri Basin runoff near average for 2016

The full flood control capacity of the Missouri River mainstem reservoir system is available for the 2017 runoff season, according to the U.S Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Missouri River Water Management Division. All 2016 stored flood water was evacuated from the reservoir system as of December 18, when the total volume stored in the Mainstem Reservoir System reached 56.1 million acre-feet (MAF). “Due to the complete evacuation of the reservoir system, Gavins Point releases were reduced from 18,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) to the normal winter rate of 17,000 cfs on January 5. Basin conditions will continue to be monitored and reservoir releases adjusted as needed throughout the winter in preparation for the 2017 runoff season”, said Jody Farhat, Chief of the Missouri River Water Management Division. “The entire flood control capacity of the Mainstem Reservoir System stands ready to capture spring runoff, reducing flood risk while providing support to other authorized project purposes.”

6 Dec 2016

Gavins Point Dam releases reduced to winter levels; Missouri Basin runoff near average for 2016

The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) reduced releases from Gavins Point Dam in late November to the winter release rate, marking the end of flow support for the 2016 navigation season. “Releases from Gavins Point Dam were reduced over a 3-day period from 25,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 18,000 cfs,” said Jody Farhat, Chief of the Missouri River Water Management Division. “Releases are expected to range between 17,000 cfs and 18,000 cfs this winter, but will be adjusted as needed to evacuate the remainder of water stored in the annual flood control zone prior to the start of the next year’s runoff season.” Based on the September 1 system storage, Gavins Point Dam winter releases will be at least 17,000 cfs. During the winter, the Corps will closely monitor conditions throughout the basin and will adjust releases to lessen the impact of river ice formation on water intakes along the lower river to the extent possible.