Water Management Monthly News Release (2)

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navigation season length will be made after the water-in-storage check on July 1. Normal runoff is 25.2 MAF. Iteleases from Gavins Point Dam in May averaged 21,200 cubic feet per second (cfs), compared to a long-term average of 29,804 cfs. They may be gradually increased from the current 23,000 cfs if needed to meet minimum downstream flow targets. T'he mountain snowpack above Fort Peck crested on Apri122 at 76 ,percent of normal. The snowpack in the reach from Fort Peck to Garrison peaked on May 13 at only 73 percent of normal. R.unoff from the remaining mountain snow will continue entering the reservoirs for a few more weeks. System storage ended May at 36.1 MAF, up 800,000 acre feet during the month. The amount of water in the reservoirs is more than 22 MAF below normal for this time of year. G-avins Point reservoir will remain essentially level at elevation 1206 feet msl during June. Fort Randall Dam releases averaged 18,800 cfs in May. They will range from 15,000 cfs to 23,000 cf:s in June as needed to maintain Gavins Point reservoir near its desired elevation. Fort Randall reservoir ended May at 1354.6 feet msl, where it will remain through July. Big Bend reservoir will remain at its normal elevation of 1420 feet. Releases will be adjusted to meet hydropower needs. Oahe reservoir rose nearly two feet during May, ending the month at elevation 1576.5 feet msl. It will rernain essentially level through June, ending the month 30.5 feet below average. The reservoir is 2 feet lower than last year at this time. Garrison Dam releases averaged 16,500 cfs during May, compared to the average of 21;700 cfs. The reservoir rose more than two feet in May, ending the month at elevation of 1808.8 feet msl. It will continue to rise about half a foot through mid-month before gradually declining back to its current level on June 30. It will end the month 29 feet below average. The reservoir is 7 feet lower than last year at this time.