News Release Archive

Reclamation to Increase Flows from Ririe Reservoir to Meet Flood Control Standards

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5021, 02/04/2011 08:38
Mike Beus, mbeus@usbr.gov

For Release: February 04, 2011

The Bureau of Reclamation will begin flows from Ririe Reservoir into Willow Creek starting Monday evening, February 7, 2011, to meet required flood control obligations. Ririe Dam is located about 15 miles northeast of Idaho Falls and about 4 miles south of Ririe, Idaho.

Initial flow will fill the Willow Creek channel from the dam to the headworks structure located just upstream from the U.S. Highway 26 bridge. Provided no problems are encountered, flows will increase to 250 cubic feet per second on Tuesday morning and to 350 cfs on Wednesday. The outlet gates will be shut off around February 15 when the reservoir reaches its required winter level.

"We will have personnel monitoring the flow and checking for ice jams or debris that may cause problems." said Mike Beus, Reclamation Water Operations Manager.

Beus said experienced officials from Reclamation, Water District 1, U.S. Geological Survey, and the Progressive Irrigation District will be watching the channel closely.

The reservoir level and winter precipitation on the Willow Creek watershed are not as high as in 1997, but the reservoir has exceeded its maximum winter content much earlier than in most years and must be adjusted to maintain the required flood control space. Prior February releases were recorded in 1997 and 1986.

Ririe Dam was completed in 1977 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and is owned and operated by Reclamation. The reservoir has a total capacity of 100,500 acre-feet including 80,500 acre-feet for irrigation, flood control and recreation and 10,000 acre-feet reserved exclusively for flood control.

Local residents with questions about the reservoir operations may contact Mike Beus, Water Operations Manager at (208) 678-0461, ext. 27.

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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.