Water Management Monthly News Release

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These meetings are held each spring to review the plan for regulating the dams and reservoirs based on the current runoff and storage conditions. Meetings to describe the draft plan and take comments were held last October in Glasgow, Bismarck, Pierre, Omaha, Kansas City, Jefferson City and St. Louis. Support for the 2006 navigation season will begin April 1 at the mouth near St. Louis. River flows will be at minimum service levels. As in 2004 and 2005, minimum navigation targets may not be supported in April in reaches where there is no traffic. The season length is anticipated to be shortened by 31 to 61 days, depending on runoff in the coming months. The final decision will be based on the water-in-storage check on July 1. Opening dates are: Sioux City, Iowa March 23 Omaha, Neb. March 25 Nebraska City, Neb. March 26 Kansas City, Mo. March 28 Mouth at St. Louis, Mo. April 1 Steady to rising levels in the upper three reservoirs during the annual forage fish spawn are likely with normal or above normal runoff this spring. However, this may not be possible at all three reservoirs under low runoff conditions. If rising pools cannot be provided in all three, releases from Gairison Dam will be adjusted to provide a steady to rising level in that reservoir during April and May. The ability to provide such conditions depends on the volume, timing and distribution of the runoff from melting snow in the mountains of Montana and Wyoming. Gavins Point reservoir will lower about a foot to near elevation 1206 feet above mean sea level (msl) in March to provide additional space during the rainy spring months. Releases averaged 13,400 cubic feet per second (cfs) in February compared to the long-term average of 17,800 cfs. They were reduced to 10,000 cfs late in the month as temperatures moderated. They will be gradually increased in 3,000 cfs increments beginning March 17 until they reach 22,000 to 25,000 cfs on March 21 to provide minimum navigation flows at the mouth on April 1. Fort Randall releases averaged 11,700 cfs in February. They will be gradually increased in March to maintain Gavins Point reservoir near its desired elevation. The reservoir ended the month at 1348.5 feet and is expected to climb 6.7 feet, ending March to near elevation 1355 feet msl. Big Bend reservoir will remain in its normal range of 1420 to 1421 feet. Releases will be adjusted to meet hydropower needs. Oahe reservoir rose 0.8 feet in February, ending the month at elevation 1577.6 feet msl. It is expected to remain essentially level in March, ending the month 27.7 feet below normal. The reservoir is 1.4 feet higher than it was last year at this time. Garrison releases averaged 15,500 cfs during February, compared to the long-term average of 24,700 cfs. They are expected to drop to 14,000 cfs in March, less than the 19,900 cfs average. Garrison reservoir fell less than a foot in February, ending the month at 1810.5 feet msl. It will rise half a foot to 1811 feet in March, ending 23 feet below normal. The reservoir is 2.3 feet higher than last year at this time.