News Release Archive

Boise River Flows to Increase Again Today

Media Contact: Brian Sauer, (208) 866-5786 cell, 05/17/2008 17:57
John Redding , jredding@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: May 17, 2008

Water releases from Lucky Peak Dam will be increased again on Saturday, May 17, announced the Bureau of Reclamation. Discharge will be increased by 750 cubic feet per second (cfs) at noon and then increased by an additional 750 cfs at 2:00 p.m. for a total increase of 1,500 cfs. This will bring flows through Boise and at Glenwood Bridge to between 6,000 cfs and 6,500 cfs, which is considered bank full flows.

The rapid increase to extremely high temperatures is causing an accelerated rate of snowmelt and high inflows to Boise system reservoirs. Further increases may be necessary if runoff continues to accelerate.

Reclamation is coordinating flows with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which owns and operates Lucky Peak. Increasing river flows is necessary to make room in the reservoir system for melting snowpack.

Reclamation and the Corps discourage river recreation at this time because of high flow velocities and extremely cold water temperatures. Property owners with concerns about localized flooding should contact county emergency management officials.

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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.