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- Boise River Flows Set to Increase to Bankfull Levels
News Release Archive
Boise River Flows Set to Increase to Bankfull Levels
Media Contact:
Michael Coffey, (208) 378-5020, 02/28/2017 17:27
For Release: February 28, 2017
The Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are increasing flows from Lucky Peak Dam because of above-normal winter precipitation in the Boise River drainage. Flows through the City of Boise will increase from the current flow of 6,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) to approximately 6,500 cfs on Wednesday, March 1. These releases are necessary to help reduce the risk of flooding later in the spring, which can happen with rapidly melting snow and seasonal precipitation.
Boise River reservoirs are at approximately 59 percent of capacity. Additional flow increases are possible in the coming weeks, depending on weather conditions. A full supply of irrigation water is anticipated this summer.
Officials are advising the public to be aware of the danger associated with increased Boise River flows. The water is deep, cold, and fast, so extreme caution should be used near the river banks. People can view real-time data of flows at Reclamation facilities in the Pacific Northwest Region at https://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/rtindex/boise.html.
The Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation operate three dams on the Boise River as a system to manage flood control and irrigation storage needs — Lucky Peak Dam, Arrowrock Dam, and Anderson Ranch Dam. Storage capacity provided by Reclamation’s Arrowrock and Anderson Ranch dams, and the Corps’ Lucky Peak Dam, combined with well-planned water releases, help manage Boise River flows through the City of Boise.
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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.
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