News Release Archive

Update: Flow Increases from Flaming Gorge Dam Delayed Due to Weather Conditions

Media Contact: Barry Wirth, (801) 524-3774 or (801) 633-5046 (cell), 05/14/2008 20:52
Heather Patno, hpatno@uc.usbr.gov

For Release: May 14, 2008

Higher flow releases from Flaming Gorge Dam that were anticipated to begin this week have been delayed until significant runoff occurs in the Yampa River Basin. This delay is due to cold weather that has slowed the snow melt and runoff in the Yampa River Basin below Flaming Gorge Dam. As the weather turns warm again, higher flows from the Yampa River will resume. If conditions are favorable to meet its flow objectives, Reclamation will be adjusting its daily operations over the next 4 weeks to match the runoff on the Yampa River. Higher flows over the Memorial Day weekend are likely, so the public should be prepared. Reclamation will continue to provide updated new releases as weather conditions and operations change.

If conditions are favorable, flows will be increased to approximately 4,200 cubic-feet-per-second (cfs) to match the spring runoff peak of the Yampa River as a means to aid in the recovery of endangered fish in the Green River. The combined flows of about 18,000 cfs from the dam and the Yampa River will provide two benefits including ensuring that sediment which washes downstream will not be re-deposited on the spawning bars. Secondly, the high flows will carry the larval razorback suckers into flooded lowlands which are historic critical nursery habitat for the fish.

The flows and the purposes for them were further detailed in a May 8, 2008 news release. The information in that news release, other than the projected start date of the releases, remains current.

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