News Release Archive

Reclamation Announces Guernsey Reservoir Silt Run

Media Contact: Coleman W. Smith, (307) 261-5671, cwsmith@usbr.gov

For Release: June 26, 2014

MILLS, Wyo. -- The Bureau of Reclamation's Wyoming Area Office will be lowering the water level in Guernsey Reservoir in preparation for the annual silt run. According to Coleman W. Smith, Wyoming Area Manager, the silt run is an operation which provides silt-laden water to Goshen, Gering-Fort Laramie, and Pathfinder Irrigation Districts under contract with Reclamation.

On July 6, the release of water from Glendo Reservoir will be decreased from approximately 5,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) to a flow of approximately 2,000 cfs.

"The decreased flow will cause a rapid decline of the Guernsey Reservoir level of approximately 25 feet during the period of July 7 through July 10," Smith said.

On Monday, July 7, the boat ramps on Guernsey Reservoir will be unusable due to the low reservoir level. From July 11 through July 24, water released from Glendo Reservoir will flow through Guernsey Reservoir, providing silt from Guernsey Reservoir into the canals of downstream irrigators. Beginning on July 24, the release of water from Glendo Reservoir will be rapidly increased to refill Guernsey Reservoir to a level suitable for recreation by the evening of July 30.

Boaters, recreationists, and irrigators should take proper precautions regarding changing river flows between Glendo and Guernsey Reservoirs and the rapid lowering and refilling of Guernsey Reservoir.

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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:

Wyoming Area Office Home Page