News Release Archive

Reclamation Lowering Water Releases from Parker Dam on December 5 and 6 for Electrical Upgrade

Media Contact: Rose Davis, 702-293-8421, 11/26/2013 10:13

For Release: November 26, 2013

BOULDER CITY, Nev. — On December 5, 2013, the Bureau of Reclamation plans to reduce the water released from Parker Dam to allow Western Area Power Administration to upgrade the protection system in the 161-kilovolt switchyard at the dam. The water releases will be lowered to about 900 cubic feet per second (cfs) for a 10-hour period. The reduced flows will begin on December 5 at 6 p.m. MST and will continue until December 6 at 4 a.m. MST. Normal minimum releases from Parker Dam are 1,800 cfs.

During this time period, Reclamation will continue to meet downstream water orders. River users from Parker Dam downstream to Blythe, California should be alert to the low water levels and exposed navigation hazards through most of Friday, December 6.

Parker Dam provides water storage for Lake Havasu, the 45-mile long reservoir behind Parker Dam. Water stored in Lake Havasu is delivered to water users in Arizona, California, and Mexico. The Western Area Power Administration markets the hydropower produced by Parker Dam to customers as far away as the City of Los Angeles.

For further information regarding the Parker Dam reduced water releases and associated bus outage, please contact the Water Operations Control Center at 702-293-8373, or BCOOWaterops@usbr.gov.

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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.