News Release Archive

Yellowtail Afterbay Gate Control System Malfunctions

Media Contact: Paula A. Holwegner, (406) 247-7300, pholwegner@usbr.gov
Michael R. Odle, modle@usbr.gov

For Release: July 30, 2009

At approximately 12:30 p.m. on July 29, the automated Yellowtail Afterbay Gate Control System malfunctioned resulting in releases to the Bighorn River briefly dropping to approximately 1,500 cfs. According to Montana Area Manager Dan Jewell, alarms built into the new system alerted Reclamation staff at Yellowtail Dam who responded to the situation. Releases from the afterbay were restored to the previous rate of 4,000 cfs by around 1:15 pm.

"We're very much aware and concerned about the potential resource impacts this type of event can have. We recognize the malfunction likely impacted the fishery resource - to what extent we don't know at this time. I'm confident the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will be able to better assess impacts in the weeks and months ahead," said Jewell.

"We believe the malfunction was triggered by a significant electrical surge. The afterbay automation system has been undergoing pre-commissioning testing for the last two weeks," said Jewell. "This incident demonstrates automation systems can unfortunately be vulnerable. Regardless of the cause, it points out the need for Reclamation to introduce failsafe mechanisms in our system."

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Relevant Link:

Montana Area Office Home Page