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Bureau of Reclamation Reservoir Status and Water Supply Outlook
Media Contact:
Paula Holwegner, (406) 247-7300, pholwegner@usbr.gov
Michael R. Odle, modle@usbr.gov
For Release: May 18, 2009
According to Dan Jewell, Area Manager for Reclamation's Montana Area Office, water levels at most Reclamation-managed reservoirs in eastern Montana are at or above average for this time of year. Due to relatively cool temperatures so far this spring, most of the high elevation snow has not begun melting out. Based on the abundant snowpack still in the mountains and current reservoir storage conditions, water supplies for all Reclamation projects look favorable this year.
"We are in a good position to fill all of our reservoirs this year and boat ramps at most, if not all, of those reservoirs should be usable during the Memorial Day weekend," Jewell stated. "As always, we strongly encourage recreationists to check for the most up-to-date information on boat ramp status at Reclamation's website http://www.usbr.gov/gp/boat/index.cfm."
Current conditions at Reclamation facilities include:
Clark Canyon Reservoir - Inflows to the reservoir are about 65 percent of average for this time of year. The reservoir level is about 3.5 feet below the top of the joint-use pool and approximately 6.5 feet higher than at this time last year. The boat ramp at Beaverhead Camp is usable.
Canyon Ferry Reservoir - Inflows to Canyon Ferry are normal for this time of year. The reservoir level is about 11.5 feet below the top of the joint-use pool and approximately 1 foot higher than at this time last year. Releases from Canyon Ferry to the Missouri River are about 8,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). Boaters should be able to launch at all ramp locations around Canyon Ferry throughout the Memorial Day weekend.
Gibson Reservoir - Since April 1, the water level in Gibson has increased nearly 27 feet and is currently about 25.5 feet below the top of the conservation pool and about 44 feet higher than at this time last year. Inflows to Gibson Reservoir are being closely monitored and releases to the Sun River may fluctuate over the next several days in response to changing inflows. Recreationists and water users along the Sun River should pay particular attention to potentially large fluctuations in river levels.
Lake Elwell (Tiber Reservoir) - The water level is about 7.5 feet below the top of the joint-use pool and approximately 7.5 feet higher than at this time last year. The reservoir is expected to slowly fill with releases to the Marias River being maintained at 500 cfs. Boaters should be able to launch at most ramp locations around Tiber during the Memorial Day weekend.
Milk River Project (Fresno & Nelson) - In response to irrigation demands on the Milk River Project, releases from Fresno Dam to the Milk River are being maintained at about 600 cfs. The water level in Fresno Reservoir is at the top of the conservation pool which is normal for this time of year. Storage in Nelson Reservoir is about 129 percent of average and at this time, no water shortages are expected for Milk River Project water users. Boaters should be able to launch at all locations around Fresno and Nelson Reservoirs during the Memorial Day weekend.
Bighorn Lake (Yellowtail Dam) - The reservoir level is about 19 feet below the top of the joint-use pool and approximately 12.5 feet higher than at this time last year. Releases to meet downstream irrigation demands have begun, and releases to the Bighorn River can be expected to increase as the runoff progresses. Boaters should be able to launch at all ramp locations around Bighorn Lake over the Memorial Day weekend.
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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.
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