News Release Archive

Reservoir A Maximum Water Surface Elevation Topic of Public Open House

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@usbr.gov
Ryan Hedrick, rhedrick@usbr.gov

For Release: February 04, 2010

The Bureau of Reclamation and the Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District (LOID) will hold a public open house on February 11, regarding the increase of maximum water surface elevation at Reservoir A, an offstream reservoir about 7 miles southeast of Lewiston, Idaho.

The open house is from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game Office, 3316 16th Street, Lewiston, Idaho.

The purpose of the open house is to notify the public of the operational changes at Reservoir A, and explain how this decision was made. The public will also learn about the monitoring process that will take place during the initial filling of the reservoir.

Reservoir A, known as Mann Lake, had a maximum water surface elevation of 1,808 feet until safety concerns were discovered in 1990, which eventually resulted in a permanent restriction level of 1,800 feet established in 1998.

In 2008, LOID asked Reclamation to re-evaluate the restriction level. Reclamation's Technical Service Center evaluated the embankment and potential hazards and determined that an increase in maximum water surface elevation to 1,804 would be possible and still meet all safety standards. LOID will begin operating to the new maximum water surface elevation this spring.

The reservoir will be closely monitored during the filling process according to guidelines established by TSC.

Reclamation will provide a short presentation and have staff available to answer any questions about the increased water levels at Reservoir A. The meeting room is accessible to people with disabilities. Please direct requests for sign language interpretation for the hearing impaired, or other auxiliary aids, to Ms. Helene Tomaszewski immediately at (208) 383-2217.

If you have any questions about this open house, please contact Mr. Ryan Hedrick at (208) 383-2281.

Reservoir A is an offstream reservoir about 7 miles southeast of Lewiston, Idaho. Reservoir A will have a total capacity of 2440 acre-feet at water surface elevation 1804

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