News Release Archive

Boise River Flows Increase and Remain above Flood Stage

Media Contact: Annette Ross, (208) 378-5322, aross@usbr.gov
Gina Baltrusch, gina.c.baltrusch@usace.army.mil

For Release: March 23, 2017

BOISE, Idaho – The Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will continue to increase flows from Lucky Peak Dam beginning Thursday due to above-normal winter precipitation in the Boise River drainage.

Flows through the City of Boise will increase from the current flow of 7,750 cubic-feet-per-second (cfs) to approximately 7,875 cfs today, March 23 at 10 a.m., and to 8,000 cfs on Friday, March 24. These adjustments in releases from the reservoir system are necessary to help reduce the risk of increased flooding later in the spring, which can happen with rapidly melting snow and seasonal precipitation.

A flow rate of 7,000 cfs is considered flood-stage level at the Glenwood Bridge gauge on the Boise River. At about 8,000 cfs, larger sections of the Boise Greenbelt adjacent to the river will be submerged, and erosion of river banks may become a significant problem. Minor flooding will likely occur on sections of Eagle Island and in other low spots near the river. Some roads in low-lying areas may experience flooding. Some homes and businesses may experience water in their basements due to subterranean water level increases. Floating debris could become a problem if large quantities collect on bridges and impact river flows.

Boise River reservoirs are at approximately 58 percent of capacity. More flow increases are possible in the coming weeks, depending on weather conditions.

For real-time Boise River flows at Reclamation facilities in the Pacific Northwest Region, visit http://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.

Relevant Link:

http://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/rtindex/boise.html