News Release Archive

Reclamation to Explain American Falls Reservoir Operations in Public Meeting

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 383-2207, 06/19/2013 12:35
Mike Beus , mbeus@usbr.gov

For Release: June 19, 2013

BURLEY, Idaho - The Bureau of Reclamation will host a public meeting on June 20 to explain how American Falls Reservoir operational decisions are made and to share projections of reservoir levels for the remainder of the 2013 recreation season.

The meeting will be held from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the American Falls High School Auditorium, 2966 S. Frontage Road, American Falls, Idaho. People needing sign language interpretation or other accessible accommodations should contact Helene Tomaszewski at (208) 383-2217.

The meeting is held in response to requests from the City of American Falls, Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and the communities of Chubbuck and Pocatello.

"We realize that people are concerned about the reservoir level for a variety of reasons," Mike Beus, Upper Snake Field Office hydrologist said. "And as we enter into a dry season, it's especially important that people have a basic understanding of how the reservoir is operated."

In 2007, Reclamation agreed to increase water quality monitoring and direct communications with DEQ when reservoir levels near 100,000 acre-feet or about 6 percent of its capacity. Last summer, the reservoir was held at 138,000 acre-feet which had a negative impact on recreation, but did not require increased water quality monitoring.

Reservoir levels this year are expected to be low mainly due to the lack of winter moisture and anticipated drawdowns to meet irrigation needs downstream. In addition to explaining reservoir operations, other topics at the meeting will include water quality, native fish, and the recreational impacts to the local economy.

For more information about the meeting contact Mike Beus, Reclamation hydrologist, at (208) 678-0461 (ext. 27).

# # #

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.