News Releases

Drought conditions persist throughout the Missouri River Basin

Missouri River Water Management Division
Published May 5, 2022
A chart depicting the different system storage comparisons of the Missouri River Basin. Showing the maximum amount in storage for each month as well as the minimum amount in storage for each month with the average monthly storage. These amounts are compared to the Missouri River Master Manual's operational storage zones including the top of the exclusive flood control zone of 72.4 million acre feet, the base of the exclusive flood control zone of 67.7 maf, the base of the flood control zone of 56.1 maf, and the base of the multipl use/carryover zone of 17.6 maf. Other storage comparisons plot the 2011 runoff season (the highest on record) and the 2013 runoff season (the lowest in recent history) to the 2022 runoff season (the current runoff year).

System storage is currently 48.3 MAF, 7.8 MAF below the base of the Annual Flood Control and Multiple Use Zone. System storage is expected to remain in the Carryover Multiple Use Zone during 2022.

Runoff can enter the Missouri River anywhere and anytime in the basin. Only when runoff occurs in the upper Missouri River basin can it be captured by the mainstem system of dams. Even then, where runoff is captured depends upon where precipitation falls.

Runoff can enter the Missouri River anywhere and anytime in the basin. Only when runoff occurs in the upper Missouri River basin can it be captured by the mainstem system of dams. Even then, where runoff is captured depends upon where precipitation falls.

The Corps has established webpage at go.usa.gov/xE6fC (the URL is case sensitive) that can be saved to your mobile phone’s home screen which provides links to the most up-to-date information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers including runoff and release schedules, links to the Omaha and Kansas City Districts, links to our social media accounts, and provides a link to the National Weather Service, Missouri Basin River Forecast Center.

The Corps has established webpage at go.usa.gov/xE6fC (the URL is case sensitive) that can be saved to your mobile phone’s home screen which provides links to the most up-to-date information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers including runoff and release schedules, links to the Omaha and Kansas City Districts, links to our social media accounts, and provides a link to the National Weather Service, Missouri Basin River Forecast Center.

Dry conditions in April resulted in well-below average runoff in the upper Missouri River Basin. April runoff was 1.5 million acre-feet, which is 51% of average. The updated 2022 upper Basin runoff forecast is 17.8 MAF, 69% of average, which, if realized, would rank as the 23rd lowest calendar year runoff volume.

“Despite recent snow and rainfall events, 84% of the upper Basin continues to experience abnormally dry conditions. Current drought conditions, dry soils, and below-normal mountain snowpack, resulted in the below-average 2022 calendar year runoff forecast,” said John Remus, chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’, Missouri River Basin Water Management Division.

The NOAA Climate Prediction Center indicates increased chances for cooler and wetter-than-normal conditions for most of the Basin for the month of May, potentially providing much needed moisture to the area. However, long range forecasts for the months of June, July, and August indicate warmer and drier-than-normal conditions.

System storage is currently 48.3 MAF, 7.8 MAF below the base of the Annual Flood Control and Multiple Use Zone. System storage is expected to remain in the Carryover Multiple Use Zone during 2022. 

Mountain Snowpack:

The mountain snowpack appeared to have peaked in late April, but recent storms and cooler temperatures have resulted in additional snowpack accumulation. Snow over the weekend increased the snow water equivalent in both reaches, with the May 1 snowpack in the reach above Fort Peck and in the Fort Peck to Garrison reach at 86% and 94% of their normal peaks respectively. The late season mountain snowpack has slightly increased runoff projections for May, June, and July in the Fort Peck and Garrison reaches. The mountain snowpack graphics can be viewed at: http://go.usa.gov/xARQC.

Navigation:

Gavins Point Dam releases will provide minimum-service navigation flow support at all four target locations (Sioux City, Omaha, Nebraska City, and Kansas City) through July 1. Flow targets may be missed to conserve water if there is no commercial navigation in a given reach. Minimum-service flow targets range from 25,000 cfs at Sioux City, Iowa to 35,000 cfs at Kansas City. Flow support for the second half of the navigation season, as well as the navigation season length, will be based on the actual System storage on July 1. The current forecast indicates that minimum service flow support will be required throughout the navigation season and flow support may be shortened by about 2 weeks. 

Monthly Water Management Conference Calls

Water management calls include an update from the National Weather Service’s Missouri Basin River Forecast Center, and an update on the Missouri River mainstem reservoir system operations. The next call for 2022 will be held Thursday, May 5. All calls are recorded in their entirety and are available to the public on our website at https://go.usa.gov/xARQv.

Spring Public Meeting:

The spring public meetings were held throughout the basin during the week of April 11-15. The purpose of these meetings was to update the region on current hydrologic conditions and the planned operation of the mainstem reservoir system during the coming months. Links for a recording of the public meeting and meeting slides can be found here: https://www.nwd.usace.army.mil/MRWM/Public-Meetings/.

Reservoir Forecasts:

  • Gavins Point Dam
    • Average releases past month – 24,200 cfs
    • Current release rate – 22,000 cfs
    • Forecast release rate – 22,500 cfs
    • End-of-April reservoir level – 1206.8 feet
    • Forecast end-of-May reservoir level – 1206.0 feet
    • Notes: The Gavins Point release will be adjusted to provide minimum-service navigation flow support on the lower Missouri River.
       
  • Fort Randall Dam
    • Average releases past month – 21,800 cfs
    • End-of-April reservoir level – 1355.8 feet
    • Forecast end-of-May reservoir level – 1355.0 feet
    • Notes: Releases will be adjusted as necessary to maintain the desired reservoir elevation at Gavins Point and to back up Gavins Point releases.
       
  • Big Bend Dam
    • Average releases past month – 24,800 cfs
    • Forecast average release rate – 17,800 cfs
    • Forecast reservoir level – 1420.8 feet
       
  • Oahe Dam
    • Average releases past month – 25,200 cfs
    • Forecast average release rate – 17,500 cfs
    • End-of-April reservoir level – 1595.0 feet
    • Forecast end-of-May reservoir level – 1596.0 feet
       
  • Garrison Dam
    • Average releases past month – 14,500 cfs
    • Current release rate – 14,500 cfs
    • Forecast release rate – 19,000 cfs
    • End-of-April reservoir level –1828.1 feet
    • Forecast end-of-May reservoir level – 1828.4 feet
    • Notes – Releases will be increased to 19,000 cfs in mid-May.
       
  • Fort Peck Dam
    • Average releases past month – 5,700 cfs
    • Current release rate – 6,000 cfs
    • Forecast average release rate – 8,500 cfs
    • End-of-April reservoir level – 2222.6 feet
    • Forecast end-of-May reservoir level – 2222.1 feet
    • Notes: Releases will be increased to 8,500 cfs in mid-May.

The forecast reservoir releases and elevations discussed above are not definitive. Additional precipitation, lack of precipitation or other circumstances could cause adjustments to the reservoir release rates.

Hydropower:

The six mainstem power plants generated 662 million kWh of electricity in April. Typical energy generation for April is 700 million kWh. The power plants are expected to generate 7.3 billion kWh this year, compared to the long-term average of 9.4 billion kWh.

To view the detailed three-week release forecast for the mainstem dams, go to https://go.usa.gov/xARQB.

The Missouri Basin Web App provides links to these reports and others that are updated more frequently. http://go.usa.gov/xE6fC

MISSOURI RIVER MAINSTEM RESERVOIR DATA

 

Pool Elevation
(feet above mean sea level)

Water in Storage
(1,000 acre-feet)

 

On April 30

Change in April

On April 30

% of 1967-2020 Average

Change in April

Fort Peck

2222.6

-0.3

12,546

86

-40

Garrison

1828.1

+0.2

15,015

84

+74

Oahe

1595.1

-1.6

15,128

85

-449

Big Bend

1421.2

+1.1

1,696

100

+54

Fort Randall

1356.1

+2.9

3,475

104

+206

Gavins Point

1206.9

+0.4

345

88

+7

 

 

Total

48,205

87

-148

 

WATER RELEASES AND ENERGY GENERATION FOR APRIL

 

Average Release in 1,000 cfs

Releases in 1,000 acre-feet

Generation in Million kWh

Fort Peck

5.7

337

51

Garrison

14.5

864

123

Oahe

25.2

1,502

217

Big Bend

24.8

1,476

81

Fort Randall

21.8

1,298

138

Gavins Point

24.2

1,442

53

 

 

Total

663


Contact
Eileen Williamson
402-996-3802
eileen.l.williamson@usace.army.mil

Release no. 22-009