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Reclamation Releases Reservoir Information
Media Contact:
Jeff Nettleton, (605) 394-9757, jnettleton@usbr.gov
Steve Schelske, sschelske@usbr.gov
For Release: May 27, 2015
BISMARCK, N.D. -- Due to the recent precipitation events and inflows into the reservoirs, water releases from Angostura and Pactola Reservoirs will be increased this week to manage reservoir elevations.
"The recent precipitation is typical for this time of year, so we want to make the public aware of these increased flows and water levels downstream of each of these facilities," said Jeff Nettleton, Manger of Facility Operation and Maintenance and Engineering Services for Reclamation's Dakotas Area Office in Rapid City, S.D. "People recreating in or along these downstream areas should take appropriate safety precautions due to the increased flows."
The following information provides details on the status of Reclamation's South Dakota Reservoirs and Keyhole Reservoir in northeastern Wyoming.
Angostura Reservoir
Angostura Irrigation District began releasing water through the spillway again on May 23 and will continue releases for the next few days. The current release is approximately 3,200 cubic feet per second (cfs), and future releases will depend on inflows. The current water elevation at Angostura Reservoir is 3,186.9 feet, or 98.8 percent full. Angostura Reservoir is full at an elevation of 3,187.2 feet. Inflows into Angostura for water year 2015 are 131 percent of average for the period of record of the reservoir.
Pactola Reservoir
The City of Rapid City continues to increase flows into Rapid Creek from Pactola Reservoir this week and plan on increasing the release to 500 cubic feet per second on May 27. This release could be maintained into June, but releases are dependent on inflows. The current water elevation at Pactola Reservoir is 4,585.1 feet. The conservation pool 100 percent full and we have entered the flood pool by nearly 5 feet. Inflows into Pactola Reservoir for water year 2015 are 184 percent of average for the period of record of the reservoir.
Deerfield Reservoir
The City of Rapid City is continuing to maintain higher releases from Deerfield Reservoir into Castle Creek this week and expects to maintain this through the rest of May. The inflow for Deerfield Reservoir is currently at 76 cfs. The current water elevation at Deerfield Reservoir is 5,907.8 feet, or 99.6 percent full. Full reservation elevation is 5,908 feet. Inflows into Deerfield Reservoir for water year 2015 are 142 percent of average for the period of record for the reservoir.
Belle Fourche
Belle Fourche Reservoir is 96.4 percent full at an elevation of 2,974.2 feet. Full reservoir elevation is 2,975 feet. Belle Fourche Reservoir is an off-stream storage reservoir located on Owl Creek. The reservoir is filled by diverting water from the Belle Fourche River at the Diversion Dam near the city of Belle Fourche, through the Inlet Canal to the reservoir. The Belle Fourche Irrigation District closed Inlet Canal on May 9 since the reservoir is close to the full elevation. Inflows into Belle Fourche Reservoir for water year 2015 are 72 percent of average for the period of record of the reservoir.
Shadehill
Shadehill Reservoir is 88.4 percent full at an elevation of 2,269.1 feet. Full reservoir elevation is 2,272 feet. Current releases through the outlet works have been set at 50 cfs. Inflows into Shadehill Reservoir for water year 2015 are 60 percent of average for the period of record for the reservoir.
Keyhole Reservoir
Keyhole Reservoir is 94.2 percent full at an elevation of 4,098.1 feet. Full reservoir elevation is 4,099.3 feet. Currently there are no releases being made from Keyhole. Inflows into Keyhole Reservoir for water year 2015 are 28 percent of average for the period of record for the reservoir.
Note: The 2015 water year runs from October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015.
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