News Release Archive

Reclamation Adjusts Releases from Yellowtail Dam

Media Contact: Paula Holwegner, (406) 24707300, pholwegner@usbr.gov
Buck Feist, bfeist@usbr.gov

For Release: February 23, 2010

The Bureau of Reclamation today announced adjustments to releases from Yellowtail Dam in south-central Montana.

According to Dan Jewell, Montana Area Manager, the adjustments are necessary as mountain snow water content in the Bighorn River Basin above Yellowtail Dam approaches record low levels.

"We're following the most prudent course of action considering the dismal hydrologic conditions we have to work with," Jewell said. "Making the adjustments now should help limit negative impacts to both upstream and downstream interests, and position us to better meet the multi-purpose objectives of the Yellowtail Unit throughout the remainder of the year."

In response to near-record low inflows forecasted for Yellowtail Dam, Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks recently requested that Reclamation consider reducing releases from Yellowtail Dam to the Bighorn River from 2,500 cubic-feet-per-second (cfs) to 2,000 cfs in an effort to lower the potential for more severe reductions later in the spring.

"I applaud the willingness of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to consider and offer this type of input for our consideration," Jewell said. "We have been actively promoting a collaborative approach with our stakeholders and customers to ensure we're making the most prudent, best informed decisions possible regarding operations at Yellowtail," he said. "Beginning Wednesday, Feb. 24, and continuing over the next few days, we will begin stepping down releases from Yellowtail Dam until we reach 2000 cfs. This equates to a drop in river level of between four and five inches."

Reclamation"s Yellowtail Unit is a multi-purpose project which, in addition to providing flood control benefits and hydropower generation, supports a blue-ribbon fishery on the Bighorn River below Yellowtail Dam and flat-water recreation on Yellowtail Reservoir (Bighorn Lake) within the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area.

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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.

Relevant Link:

Montana Area Office Home Page