News Release Archive

Reclamation Schedules High Colorado River Flows from Laguna Dam March 8 - 15; River Users Should Exercise Caution

Media Contact: Jack Simes, 928-343-8334, jsimes@lc.usbr.gov

For Release: March 06, 2007

On March 8 and 15, the Bureau of Reclamation will perform two "pulse" flow releases from Laguna Dam, 10 miles above Yuma, as part of a demonstration project to determine how such flows might affect the City of Yuma's two wetlands restoration projects located near Prison Hill and at 13th Avenue.

These releases will mimic the type of flow that occurs during storm run-off - they come quickly, move rapidly, and then recede. The water will be released over a 6-hour period both days beginning at 6 a.m., the flows will gradually increase from their normal level of 600 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 2000 cfs by 4 p.m.; and at 10 p.m., the flows will begin ramping down to the 600 cfs level again.

Peak flows in the 4th Avenue Bridge area are expected to occur between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. By midnight, river flows between Laguna and Morelos Dams should return to normal. Boaters, fishermen, and anyone planning to visit either wetlands for recreational purposes should be advised that these increased river flows may be dangerous, and should use caution.

For those interested in watching the increased flows, they can be best viewed from the Territorial Prison State Park overlook or from the banks of the Yuma Beach at Friendship Park or at the Yuma West Wetlands.

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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.