News Release Archive

Davis Dam To Be Regulatory Power Source Wednesday Morning

2 to 4-Foot River Elevation Changes Possible

Media Contact: Robert Walsh , 702-293-8421 , 02/10/2009 18:06
River Operations Center, 702-293-8373, waterops@lc.usbr.gov

For Release: February 10, 2009

On Wednesday, February 11th, water releases from Davis Dam may vary considerably from 8 - 10 a.m. Pacific time (9 - 11 a.m. Mountain) while the dam operates as a regulatory power source during a "steady flow" release below Hoover Dam.

During this two-hour period, releases from Davis Dam may range from 4,600 cubic feet per second (cfs) up to 14,000 cfs in 15 minute intervals. This could result in 2- to 4-foot changes in river water levels throughout the Laughlin/Bullhead City area.

Hoover Dam generally serves as the regulatory power source for the Western Area Power Administration, providing additional capacity to meet Southwestern needs. On the morning of February 11th, however, the Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Geological Survey will conduct water quality sampling and acoustic discharge measurements in the river channel downstream of Hoover Dam that require a steady, unvaried river flow.

During this 2-hour period, Hoover Dam cannot be used to provide regulatory power, so Davis Dam will supply as much as an additional 100 megawatts for the Western Area Power Administration.

River users below Hoover Dam will not be affected by this activity, but boaters below Davis should exercise extra caution during this period of fluctuating river flows.

Daily and hourly information on releases from Reclamation's Colorado River dams is available on Reclamation's web site, at http://www.usbr.gov/lc/riverops.html, or contact the Boulder Canyon Operations Office Water Control Center by phone at: 702-293-8373, or by e-mail at: waterops@lc.usbr.gov .

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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.