News Release Archive

Boise River Flows Set to Increase May 1

Media Contact: Michael Williamson , (208) 378-5212, 04/29/2015 09:58
Brian Sauer , bsauer@usbr.gov

For Release: April 29, 2015

BOISE, Idaho - The Bureau of Reclamation will be increasing flows from Lucky Peak Dam on May 1 and 2. This is to provide additional water for salmon migration in the lower Snake and Columbia rivers in accordance with NOAA Fisheries' 2008 Upper Snake Biological Opinion.

Currently, the Boise River flow is approximately 700 cubic feet per second at the Glenwood Bridge gauging station. On Friday this flow will be increased approximately 500 cfs, with an additional 200 cfs increase on Saturday. By the end of Saturday flows will be approximately 1,400 cfs through the city of Boise.

The public is asked to use caution when recreating on or near the river as flows will be higher than in recent weeks and water temperatures are still very cold.

Flows will remain at these higher levels through most of May, with a return to normal mid-summer irrigation levels of about 700 cfs near the end of the month.

This release of stored water from Lucky Peak Reservoir will not affect Reclamation's ability to meet its water delivery obligations.

For real-time Boise River flow information, visit Reclamation's Pacific Northwest Region Hydromet website: http://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/rtindex/boise.html

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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:

http://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/rtindex/boise.html