News Release Archive

Reclamation Further Increases Release to the American River for Flood Control Management of Folsom Reservoir

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, plucero@usbr.gov

For Release: March 16, 2011

The Bureau of Reclamation announced today that it will increase releases from Folsom Dam into the lower American River from 15,000 to 20,000 cubic feet per second at 4 p.m. for flood control management. The increased releases are necessary to meet flood-space regulatory requirements within the reservoir. The increased releases will remain at that volume until further notice.

Due to recent storms, releases from Folsom Dam increased from 8,000 to 15,000 cubic feet per second on Monday, March 14.

People participating in recreation in or along the lower American River, downstream of Nimbus Dam to the confluence of the American and Sacramento rivers, should take appropriate safety precautions during periods of high river flows. Please note that some sections of the bike trail along the American River and parts of Discovery Park may become inundated as flows increase. Discovery Park, along Interstate 5, is located in the city of Sacramento.

Daily information on expected flows in the American River can be found on the California Data Exchange Center website at http://cdec.water.ca.gov./cgi-progs/getAll?sens_num=23 or on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website at http://www.spk-wc.usace.army.mil/generic/rel_rep_s.html. For information on the American River, please visit Reclamation's Central Valley Operation Office website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvo.

# # #

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.