News Release Archive

Bureau of Reclamation to Increase Flows below Tiber Dam

Media Contact: Jack Conner, (406) 247-7300, jconner@usbr.gov

For Release: May 22, 2014

BILLINGS, Mont. -- The Bureau of Reclamation plans to increase flows to the Marias River below Tiber Dam beginning in late May and continuing through June. The increase in river flows has been coordinated with Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks as part of a multiyear study on pallid sturgeon spawning activities.

Beginning about May 29, 2014 releases will be increased approximately 500 cubic feet-per-second (cfs) per day until a total release of approximately 4,000 cfs is reached about June 3. The 4,000 cfs release rate will be held for approximately one week before being increased to approximately 5,000 cfs by about June 13. The release rate of 5,000 cfs will then be held for 10 days until about June 23. Following this period of increased flows, releases to the Marias River will be staged downward at a rate of 500 cfs per day until reaching the current release rate of approximately 1,000 cfs by about July 1. The 1,000 cfs rate will then be maintained until further notice.

Depending on actual inflows into Lake Elwell during this period, release rates and schedules may be adjusted accordingly.

River recreationists and irrigation pumpers are advised to be cautious throughout the period of increased flows. You are also encouraged to check specific operations related information for Tiber Dam at Reclamation’s website at http://www.usbr.gov/gp-bin/arcweb_ler.pl.

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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.

Relevant Link:

Montana Area Office Home Page