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: May 03, 2006

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation will continue to increase the stream flows on the Boise River as part of flood control releases beginning on May 4.

Flows from Lucky Peak Dam will be increased by about 100 cubic feet per second on May 4 and May 5 and will continue to increase by 100 cfs daily from May 8 through May 10, when flows through Boise are expected to reach about 7,500 cfs at the Glenwood Bridge.

Snow pack conditions of approximately 125 percent of average for the Boise River basin, and the chance for rapid snowmelt with warming temperatures, has resulted in the need for further reservoir releases. These releases will help reduce the risk of greater flooding impacts later in the spring, which can occur with warm temperatures, 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. Recent high flows have caused stream bank erosion in some locations and extreme caution should be used when near the river banks.

Current water storage in Boise River reservoirs is about 67 percent of capacity and the projected runoff for May though July is expected to be 139 percent of average. A full supply of irrigation water 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.