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News Rele ase <br />IJS Army Corps 12565 West Center Road Contact: Paul Johnston <br />of Engineers Omaha, Nebraska 68144-3869 (402) 697-2552 <br />Tdorthwestern Division Larry Cieslik <br />F'ublic Affairs Office (402) 697-2675 <br />Phone: (402) 697-2552 Date: June 10, 2005 <br />Fax: (402) 697-2554 <br />s <br />Water A'Ianagement Monthly News Release <br />C)MAHA - Rain across the entire Missouri River basin and late-season snow in the mountains <br />in May brought much needed relief from the unrelenting drought. The precipitation, combined with <br />Army Corps of Engineers conservations measures, raised reservoir levels 1 to 2 feet during the critical <br />fish spawning period. <br />T'he levels of the three big reservoirs in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota each rose in <br />May, sett:ing up good water conditions for a successful spawn of both game and forage fish. Last <br />month's runoff was 1.1 million acre feet (MAF) <br />"'I'he continuing drought is having profound impacts throughout the basin. The Corps has <br />taken a number of initiatives to ease these impacts" said Larry Cieslik, Chief of the Water <br />Managenlent Office here. Navigation targets at Sioux City were not met in April or May. Efforts to <br />maintain steady to rising reservoir levels to aid the spring fish spawn in the Oahe and Fort Peck <br />reservoirs were successful. The rain and snow raised Garrison two feet. Boat ramps have been <br />extended and relocated at each of the reservoirs to maintain access to the water. Municipal water <br />intakes iri North Dakota and South Dakota are being closely monitored. <br />"`JVe are forecasting this year's runoff will be 16.6 MAF. Under the Basic computer <br />simulativn, the navigation season could be shortened 61 days under the Revised Master Manual and <br />its more ::tringent drought conservation measures," said Cieslik. A final detertnination of the