News Release Archive

Reclamation to Begin Bypass Releases at Flaming Gorge

Media Contact: Lisa Iams, (801) 524-3673, 05/03/2011 18:41
Heather Hermansen, hhermansen@usbr.gov

For Release: May 03, 2011

Beginning at 7:00 pm, flows from Flaming Gorge Dam will significantly increase as Reclamation begins releasing water from the bypass outlets at Flaming Gorge Dam in response to increased forecasted inflows as storms continue to occur over both the Upper Green and Yampa river basins.

Precipitation and snow pack are significantly above average in both basins with the corresponding snow water equivalent for the Green River Basin at 162 percent of average and the Yampa River Basin at 172 percent of average. Extended cool weather has delayed the start of the low elevation snowmelt runoff. As temperatures warm over the coming days, the low elevation snow in the Yampa River Basin is expected to start coming off this weekend increasing the potential flows at Jensen, UT to between 20,000 - 24,000 cfs. The significantly above average low elevation snow in the Upper Green River Basin has not started to come off yet and more snow is projected to fall throughout the next week.

Flaming Gorge is currently releasing water at full powerplant capacity of 4,530 cfs with the reservoir at 84 percent full. Bypass flows of up to 4,000 cfs will be initiated and maintained for at least five days to evacuate storage to accommodate the expected high spring runoff above and below the dam. The May preliminary forecast from the River Forecast Center for inflows into Flaming Gorge Reservoir is 139 percent of average (1,660 KAF) compared with the April 1 forecast which was 113 percent of average. The Yampa River forecast increased over the same time period from 157 percent of average to 197 percent of average.

As the total releases from the dam increase to between 8,400 - 8,600 cfs, downstream recreation areas will see an increase in river stage of between one and one and a half feet. Reclamation has notified the Daggett County Sheriff's Office and deputies will be available if needed. In addition, Forest Service rangers will float the river tonight to assist in notifying campers. Reclamation advises the recreating public to avoid low lying areas downstream of the dam during the period of increased flows.

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