News Release Archive

Flows Will Increase On Boise River Through Boise

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

For Release: April 16, 2008

The Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be increasing water releases from Lucky Peak Reservoir over the next several weeks to help manage water flows during the spring runoff period.

The current Lucky Peak irrigation releases are approximately 1,700 cubic feet per second, resulting in flows through Boise of about 1,000 cfs. This increased runoff is a result of a near-normal snow pack and warming spring weather conditions.

Controlled flow releases from Lucky Peak Dam will begin on April 17, and continue to increase during the following week. Flows through Boise will reach about 1,500 cfs by April 23, and likely continue to increase into May

Releases from Lucky Peak will help prevent the reservoir system from filling too rapidly, thus, decreasing the risk of higher flows later in the runoff season. Flows to meet irrigation demands and maintain adequate flood control space are expected to range between 1,000 to 5,000 cfs through May and June.

Streamflow rates at the Glenwood Bridge gauging station of 1,500 cfs or higher are generally considered unsuitable for river recreation. A flow rate of 7,000 cfs is considered flood-stage level at the Glenwood Bridge gauge. Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers discourage river recreation at this time because of cold water temperatures, higher flow velocities, and dangerous brush areas along the river banks.

These flows may also cause minor stream bank erosion and could possibly displace early nesting waterfowl and other wildlife that reside along the stream corridor.

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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.