News Release Archive

Flows Increased at Potholes Reservoir

Media Contact: Toni E. Turner, (509) 754-0244 , tturner@usbr.gov
David Walsh, dwalsh@usbr.gov

For Release: December 20, 2016

OTHELLO, Washington – The Bureau of Reclamation began ramping up excess storage water releases from Potholes Reservoir via the O’Sullivan Dam spillway into Lower Crab Creek at noon today.

Reclamation water managers slowly increased flows up to 100 cubic feet per second (cfs) from 30 cfs in order to manage reservoir volume in anticipation of winter precipitation. Flows into Lower Crab Creek have been running at 30 cfs since late November.

The public should be aware of possible localized flooding along portions of Lower Crab Creek as the creek flows toward the Columbia River south of Royal City and Beverly.

The increased flow is expected to continue through February 2017, but may change depending on weather, precipitation through the winter, and subsequent runoff into Potholes Reservoir.

Reclamation staff will be monitoring flow along Lower Crab Creek during the release period. Reclamation is coordinating this spill with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Othello, state and local agencies, residents and irrigation districts.

If you have any questions, experience any issues resulting from this spill, or would like to be notified of any change in flood control operations at Potholes Reservoir, please contact Toni E. Turner, Program Manager, Irrigation Operations and Technical Services in the Ephrata Field Office at tturner@usbr.gov or at (509) 754-0244 or at (208) 386-0028 (cell).

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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.