News Release Archive

Jackson Lake Operations Topic of Public Meeting

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@usbr.gov
Mike Beus, mbeus@usbr.gov

For Release: May 10, 2010

The Bureau of Reclamation will host a public meeting on May 20 to present streamflow forecasts and projected reservoir operations for Jackson Lake and other Snake River reservoirs at the Antler Inn Conference Room, 43 West Pearl Street, in Jackson, Wyoming. The meeting will start at 7:30 p.m.

Natural flows on the Upper Snake River last year were higher than average due to a near-average snowpack, followed by significant springtime rain. Rain also reduced irrigation demand and Jackson Lake started 2010 with generous carryover storage.

During 2010, snow accumulation lagged behind long-term averages. On April 1, snow on the Snake River watershed within Wyoming contained only 55 percent of the normal water content. April was the first month of above average precipitation since October.

Flows immediately below Jackson Lake Dam continue at about 400 cubic feet per second (cfs), the flow that has prevailed this winter. Increases are not expected until later this month or early next month as Jackson Lake approaches full.

"So far, inflow has been difficult to predict," said Mike Beus, Reclamation Water Manager. "The dry trend that dominated the winter turned into a cold, wet spring and we are still waiting for snow to stop accumulating at higher elevations."

The meeting facility is accessible to people with disabilities. Please contact Jami Andersen at (208) 678-0461, ext. 22 at the Upper Snake River Field Office in Burley, Idaho, for sign language interpretation for the hearing impaired or other auxiliary aids.

More information regarding Reclamation programs can be found on Reclamation's Pacific Northwest Region website at: www.usbr.gov/pn. For current streamflows and reservoir elevations, click on the Hydromet link.

Jackson Lake Dam is located on the Snake River near Moran, Wyoming. The dam is part of the Minidoka Project and was originally constructed in 1911. It was later reconstructed in 1989 under authority of Reclamation's Safety of Dams Act.

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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:

http://www.usbr.gov/pn