News Release Archive

Boise River Flows Set to Increase

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@usbr.gov
Brian Sauer, bsauer@usbr.gov

For Release: March 06, 2012

The Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will increase flows from Lucky Peak Dam on Wednesday, to help reduce the risk of flooding later this spring, which can occur with precipitation and rapidly melting snow. The increased flows are due to near normal snow pack and above normal reservoir carryover.

Current water storage in the Boise River reservoirs is about 73 percent of capacity. Flows will increase by 600 cubic-feet-per-second each day, beginning Wednesday, and reaching approximately 3,000 cfs by Friday at the Glenwood Bridge gauging station. Currently no other flow increases are planned; however, flows could potentially increase to higher levels in coming months as system inflows increase. A flow rate of 7,000 cfs is considered flood-stage level at the Glenwood Bridge gauge.

Officials advise people to be aware that flow increases will add to the water depth and velocity, making it more dangerous to be in the river. Water temperatures are very cold so precautions should be taken to avoid water contact without proper preparation.

Water managers anticipate that a full supply of irrigation water will be available this season.

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