News Release Archive

Flows Increased Today at Ririe Dam in Idaho

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, 05/13/2011 15:08
Mike Beus, mbeus@usbr.gov

For Release: May 13, 2011

The Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers increased flows in Willow Creek below Ririe Dam to 1900 cubic feet per second at 9:00 a.m. today to meet required flood control obligations. Ririe Dam is located about 15 miles northeast of Idaho Falls, Idaho and about 4 miles south of Ririe, Idaho.

Rain, snow, and warm overnight temperatures early this week filled Ririe Reservoir. Monday, the flow into the reservoir was 2870 cfs, the peak inflow so far, by Thursday afternoon inflows were recorded at about 1600 cfs.

"We are watching the weather forecast closely," said Mike Beus, Reclamation Water Operations Manager. "We are releasing water in order to make room in the reservoir for the melting snowpack and precipitation predicted in the coming weeks".

Although damaging flows are not expected, water managers are still advising people to exercise caution and be prepared for changing stream conditions.

The diversions into Sand Creek and Willow Creek are close to average peak flows during irrigation season. Recent cool weather and rain has lowered the demand for irrigation water.

After Friday's change about 1000 cfs will remain in the Ririe Outlet Channel, about 800 cfs will be diverted into Sand Creek and the remaining 100 cfs will be diverted through the lower reaches of Willow Creek.

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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