News Release Archive

Boise River Flows Increasing this Week

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, 04/04/2011 13:51
Brian Sauer, bsauer@usbr.gov

For Release: April 04, 2011

The Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are advising people to exercise caution along the Boise River as stream flows are set to increase while flood control releases that began on March 21 continue.

Flows from Lucky Peak Dam will increase this week to about 5,800 cubic feet per second at the Glenwood Bridge gauging station by Wednesday, this is an increase of about 3,300 cfs. Flows of 6,500 cfs is considered bank full, and 7,000 cfs is considered flood-stage at that location. River flows have reached this level around this time in each of the last three years.

"Continuing precipitation and cool weather in March have resulted in an increase in mountain snowpack and raised the runoff forecast to slightly above normal," said Brian Sauer, Reclamation hydraulic engineer. "These releases will help reduce the risk of greater flooding impacts later in the spring which can occur with warm temperatures, rapidly melting snow, and precipitation."

Officials will continue to advise people of the dangers associated with increased flows, such as rapidly moving deep water and cold temperatures near 45 degrees.

# # #

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.