News Release Archive

Reclamation Increases Flows from Ririe Reservoir

Media Contact: Annette Ross, (208) 378-5322, 02/03/2017 14:21
Corey Loveland , cloveland@usbr.gov

For Release: February 03, 2017

RIRIE, Idaho – The Bureau of Reclamation will discharge flows from Ririe Reservoir into Willow Creek beginning Feb. 6, 2017, to meet required flood control obligations and requirements identified in the 2015 Final Environmental Assessment: Ririe Winter Storage Study. Ririe Dam is located about 15 miles northeast of Idaho Falls and about 4 miles south of Ririe.

An initial release from Ririe of 150 cubic feet per second will fill the Willow Creek channel from the dam to the headworks structure located just upstream from the U.S. Highway 26 bridge. Flows will increase to 300 cfs Feb. 7 and again to 400 cfs the following day. Releases from Ririe will end Feb. 10, once the reservoir is drawn down to its required winter level.

Reclamation, Water District 1, U.S. Geological Survey, Progressive Irrigation District and Mitigation Inc. will monitor the channel closely during the release.

The reservoir level and winter precipitation on the Willow Creek watershed are higher than it was in 2011, which was an above normal snowpack winter. The reservoir has exceeded its maximum winter content earlier this year than in previous years. The adjustment is necessary to maintain the required flood control space. Prior February releases were made in 2013, 2011, 1997 and 1986.

Ririe Dam was completed in 1977 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and is owned and operated by Reclamation. The reservoir has a capacity of 90,500 acre-feet, including 80,500 acre-feet for irrigation, flood control, and recreation, and 10,000 acre-feet reserved exclusively for flood control.

For questions, please contact Corey Loveland, water operations manager of Reclamation’s Upper Snake Field Office at (208) 678-0461 ext. 27. River and reservoir data are available at: https://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/uppersnake/.

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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:

https://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/uppersnake/