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  • Average Garrison Dam releases declining to address downstream ice

    **Updated to note continued decline in releases toward 16,000 cfs ahead of the forecast schedule.** Fluctuations in temperatures in the Bismarck area have resulted in ice formation on the Missouri River and an ice jam just south of Bismarck. To reduce the threat of flooding, releases from Garrison Dam will be decreased today to an average of 22,000 cfs and tomorrow to 19,000 cfs. Releases may be adjusted as needed over the next several days based on the most up-to-date information.
  • Fort Peck fall release reductions delayed

    Planned release reductions from Fort Peck Dam will be delayed until the end of September, due to the ongoing drought and recent extremely dry weather in eastern Montana.
  • Oahe and Big Bend Dams supporting temporary power needs

    Beginning today, releases from Oahe and Big Bend Dams in South Dakota will be increased from a daily average of about 15,000 cfs to about 36,000 cfs, downstream conditions permitting. These releases are aimed at providing additional power generation during a winter storm moving across the country over the weekend. "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Northwestern Division is working with the Western Area Power Administration much like last February," said John Remus, Chief of the Missouri River Basin Water Management Division. These actions will not effects the overall system storage, and will not change the System releases from Gavins Point Dam. We do not expect these release changes to remain in effect for more than 24 hours.
  • Gavins Point releases increased slightly ahead of colder temperatures

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers increased Gavins Point releases from 17,000 cubic feet per second to 19,000 cfs at noon Friday. The National Weather Service’s forecast indicates the lower Missouri River basin will experience extreme cold temperatures for the next 7-10 days. The much colder temperatures have the potential to cause or exacerbate ice formation on tributaries and the mainstem of the lower Missouri River.
  • Fort Peck releases to change slightly

    Releases from Fort Peck dam will be increased from 9,000 cubic feet per second to as much as 11,000 cfs to address conditions immediately downstream of the dam. Releases will begin increasing on Aug. 14, or once planned maintenance projects at the Fort Peck power house are completed.
  • Gavins Point releases to remain steady through August

    Below-normal precipitation in Montana and Wyoming during July resulted in slightly below-average July runoff in the upper Basin. The 2020 calendar year upper basin runoff forecast, updated on August 3, is 30.9 million acre-feet (MAF), 120% of average. Average annual runoff for the upper basin is 25.8 MAF.