News Release Archive

Boise River Flows at the Glenwood Bridge Gauge Continue near 8,800 cfs

Media Contact: Gina Baltrusch, (509) 527-7018, gina.c.baltrusch@usace.army.mil
Annette Ross, aross@usbr.gov

For Release: May 04, 2017

BOISE, Idaho – The Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will continue adjusting water releases from Lucky Peak Dam to target Boise River flows of 8,800 cubic-feet-per-second (cfs), as measured at the Glenwood Bridge gauge.

Although, recent warming temperatures have increased inflows to the reservoirs from snowmelt, reservoir managers do not currently anticipate a need to increase those target flows at the Glenwood Bridge gauge. Current weather forecasts, increased water use by local irrigators and space remaining in the reservoir system should allow water managers to sustain the flow rate through Ada and Canyon counties.

“Of course, that reservoir operation depends upon the weather and actual reservoir inflows,” said Corps Hydrology Section Chief John Heitstuman. “Based on current projections, we anticipate remaining at this flow. Conditions will continue to be monitored and discharges will be adjusted as necessary.”

Boise River reservoirs are at approximately 69 percent of capacity. Outflow rates from Lucky Peak will continue fluctuating to compensate for water being drawn from the river by irrigators.

A flow rate of 7,000 cfs is considered flood-stage level at the Glenwood Bridge gauge on the Boise River https://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?lid=BIGI1. At 8,800 cfs, additional sections of the Boise Greenbelt adjacent to the river will be submerged, and erosion of river banks will continue to be a significant problem. Minor flooding will continue to 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.

Local emergency management officials strongly advise staying away from the river shoreline and areas posted as closed to the public.

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:

https://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?lid=BIGI1

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