News Release Archive

Boise River Flows Increasing

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@pn.usbr.gov
Brian Sauer, bsauer@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: April 07, 2006

The Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will continue to increase the stream flows on the Boise River as part of flood control releases that began on April 6.

Flows from Lucky Peak Dam will continue to increase by about 500 cubic feet per second on April 7 and April 10. On April 7, the flows through Boise will be near 4,300 cfs and on April 10, near 4,800 cfs.

Recent precipitation and current snowpack conditions of approximately 130 percent of average for the Boise River basin has resulted in the need for further reservoir releases. These releases will help to minimize the risk of flooding later in the spring, which can occur with rapidly melting snow and precipitation.

The public should be aware of the danger associated with these increased flows. The water is deep, velocities are high, and water temperatures are near 45 degrees. Extreme caution should be used when near the river banks.

Current water storage in Boise River reservoirs is about 40 percent of capacity and the projected runoff for April through July is expected to be about 130 percent of average. A full supply of water for irrigation is anticipated.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.