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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.

  • 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.

  • Updated release plans for Gavins Point and Fort Randall dams

    Due to continued rainfall and forecast inflows into the Gavins Point reservoir from the Niobrara River, and other tributaries, releases from Fort Randall and Gavins Point dams will be changing. Releases from Fort Randall have already been decreased as low as they can be and will have some periods of zero release.

  • Reservoir release changes at Fort Randall and Gavins Point dams

    Excessive rainfall in eastern South Dakota, northeastern Nebraska, and northwestern Iowa, has led to increased runoff downstream of Gavins Point Dam. The lower releases will begin today, and will continue through June 23. Because of the lower releases, the pool elevation at Gavins Point Dam will increase about 2 feet. The elevation as of midnight, June 21, was 1207.1 feet.

  • May runoff slightly above average; Fort Peck flow test continues

    Active rainfall patterns across the Midwest provided much needed moisture to several portions of the Missouri River Basin. Large areas of Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming, eastern South Dakota, and eastern Nebraska received more than 200% of normal precipitation for the month of May. However, central South Dakota, western Nebraska, and eastern Colorado received as little as 25% of normal precipitation.

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