News Release Archive

Trinity River Flows to Peak Next Week

Media Contact: Jeffrey S. McCracken, 916-978-5100, jmccracken@mp.usbr.gov

For Release: May 02, 2005

Implementation of the recently approved 2005 Trinity River flow schedule began on April 22, 2005. Flows were ramped up from the winter base flow of 300 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 500 cfs. On Saturday, April 30, flows reached 2,500 cfs where they will remain until May 5.

Additional flow increases are scheduled as follows:

  • Friday, May 6 - Monday, May 9 - Flows will increase in several increments, stopping at 4,500 cfs and 6,000 cfs for monitoring purposes, reaching the peak of 7,000 cfs the morning of May 10.
  • Tuesday, May 10 - Friday, May 13 - Flows will be maintained at 7,000 cfs.
  • Saturday, May 14 - Tuesday, June 7 - Flows will gradually ramp down from 7,000 cfs to 2,000 cfs;
  • Wednesday, June 8 - Saturday, July 9 - Flows will be maintained at 2,000 cfs,
  • Sunday, July 10 - Friday, July 22 - Flows ramp down from 2,000 cfs to the summer base flow of 450 cfs

A total of 647,000 acre-feet will be released from the Trinity Reservoir into the Trinity River during the current water year which started October 1, 2004 and continues through September 30, 2005.

Rafters, anglers, and others using the river should exercise extreme caution, since these volumes of cold and fast moving water can be dangerous. Areas of ongoing bridge construction upstream of Douglas City should be avoided by anyone attempting to navigate the river at these high flows. Land owners near the river who wish to assist the Restoration Program by documenting high water elevations on their property are encouraged to contact the TRRP office at 530-623-1800 for more information.

Although higher releases have occurred in the past associated with flood events, this year's peak of 7,000 cfs is the largest release for fishery restoration purposes since construction of Trinity and Lewiston dams in 1963. The releases will flush significant accumulations of fine sediment, move and redeposit gravel, and scour riparian vegetation that has grown along the channel's edge. This year's flow schedule also improves juvenile salmon and steelhead growth and survival in late spring and early summer. All of these actions will improve fishery habitat conditions throughout the river consistent with the Program's objectives.

The new flow release schedule is available online at Reclamation's Central Valley Operations website at www.usbr.gov/mp/cvo/vungvari/trinsch.pdf. For the most current hourly dam releases, call 530-246-7594. Questions about the flow schedule can be directed to the TRRP office at 530-623-1800 during regular business hours. During the evening and on weekends callers may also obtain information by calling 1-800-742-9474 (select #2, and then #7 for Trinity River information from menu). In case of an emergency, call the Trinity County Sheriff's Dispatch Office at 530-623-2611.

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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:

Trinity River Flows