News Release Archive

Flaming Gorge Dam Releases to Increase over Memorial Day Weekend

Media Contact: Barry Wirth, 801-524-3774, bwirth@uc.usbr.gov
Heather Patno, 801-524-3883, hpatno@uc.usbr.gov

For Release: May 22, 2008

As a result of the recent warm weather, snow melt and runoff have increased in the Yampa River which is expected to peak on Friday. Yampa flows are forecasted to decrease significantly after the peak due to a cold front that has moved into the Yampa River Basin. The delayed increased releases from Flaming Gorge Dam are now scheduled to begin on Friday evening to match the immediate post-peak of the Yampa runoff for the benefit of endangered fish.

The Yampa River peak of approximately 21,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) will reach Jensen, Utah on Friday. The maximum releases of 4,200 cfs from Flaming Gorge will not reach Jensen until sometime on Monday. Anglers utilizing the Green River between Flaming Gorge Dam and Jensen, specifically Little Hole and Browns Park, should be advised of high flow conditions and take necessary precautions.

For more information about the purpose and benefit of the increased flows, please reference the May 8 and May 14 news releases as well as a daily Flaming Gorge flow status summary available on Reclamation's web site www.usbr.gov/uc.

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