News Release Archive

Caution Advised for Shoreline Campers Visiting Lake Roosevelt

Media Contact: Lynne Brougher, (509) 633-9503, lbrougher@usbr.gov
John Redding, jredding@usbr.gov

For Release: June 28, 2010

The Bureau of Reclamation is advising visitors planning to camp along the Lake Roosevelt shoreline over the July 4th weekend to be aware of potential dangers that could exist due to rapidly rising lake levels.

"When camping along the shoreline, it is recommended that tents and other belongings be kept well away from the water's edge," said Lynne Brougher, Public Affairs Officer. "Lake Roosevelt is a working reservoir supplying water for the hydroelectric facilities at Grand Coulee Dam and fluctuations in lake levels can occur rapidly."

Officials say that due to the holiday weekend and lower than normal power demand, lake levels are likely to rise as water is stored in the reservoir for use at a later time. Campsites close to the water's edge could potentially become flooded and boats should be anchored or tied securely to the shoreline to avoid having them drift out into the lake and becoming a safety hazard.

Reclamation and the Bonneville Power Administration are working together this year to provide more available shoreline beach areas for recreationists during this popular weekend. Federal operators will attempt to keep lake levels between the 1285-1287 foot levels on July 2.

Reclamation has also requested that BPA moderate potential rises of the lake throughout the weekend and not to fill above 1287.5 feet until the afternoon of July 5, at which time the dam and lake would resume normal operations. The rise of the lake is expected to be no more than three-fourths of a foot per day.

BPA is the power marketing agency for all the federal dams in the Pacific Northwest, including Grand Coulee Dam. Reclamation and BPA work closely to coordinate dam operations and resulting lake levels.

Operational information

The federal agencies must adhere to the court imposed 2008 Biological Opinion (BiOp) that requires the lake to come to full pool (1290 feet above sea level) between late June to early July, typically the July 4th weekend. The water is stored for later use in July and August to increase flows for migrating endangered species in the lower Columbia River. Also, demand for power generation is typically very low over the July 4th weekend. Storing water to aid fish migration and lower power demands are two reasons that lead to higher water levels at Lake Roosevelt.

Although the federal partners are working to achieve adequate beach area along the shoreline, sudden or unexpected changes in weather can result in high inflows increasing water levels more rapidly than anticipated. Caution is always advised when boating and camping on the shoreline.

For further information concerning lake levels, contact the Bureau of Reclamation at (509) 633-9503 or by email at lbrougher@usbr.gov

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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.