News Release Archive

Boise River Flows Increasing to 9,500 cfs by Tuesday

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

For Release: May 11, 2017

Boise River
Boise RiverBOISE, Idaho – The Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will increase flows from Lucky Peak Dam on Monday and Tuesday, May 15 and 16.

Flows through the city of Boise will increase 300 cubic feet per second (cfs) each day to result in a flow of approximately 9,500 cfs at the Glenwood Bridge gauge on Tuesday, May 16. This increase is due to a wet pattern forecasted for the Boise River drainage, and a significant snowpack still remaining in the mountains.

The increase in releases from the reservoir system is necessary to help reduce the risk of more severe flooding later this spring.

A flow rate of 7,000 cfs is considered flood-stage level at the Glenwood Bridge gauge on the Boise River. At 9,500 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. Flooding will continue to occur in areas in Eagle Island, Garden City, Star, and Caldwell. Water will cover portions of Warm Springs Golf Course and Municipal Park in east Boise. The water may affect some residential property near the river but should stay below the level of most residential structures. The river will spill over its banks between 45th and 47th streets in Garden City into the warehouse district. Floating debris could become a problem if large quantities collect on bridges, impacting river flows.

Residents of flood-prone areas in and near Ada County are encouraged to keep informed of changing river, stream, and weather conditions on the National Weather Service, Boise Office website at http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/boi/. The site offers flow data, weather forecasts, and flood alerts. Follow flood-response instructions issued by your local emergency management agency http://www.adacounty.id.gov/flood, and tune-in to local radio and television news stations. Ada County residents can sign up for CodeRED emergency alerts at https://public.coderedweb.com/cne/en-US/BF01DC4DD213, or download the CodeRED mobile app from your mobile device’s app store. Boise River reservoirs are at approximately 81 percent of capacity. More flow increases are possible in the coming weeks, depending on weather conditions.

In addition, the Lucky Peak pool elevation will be increasing rapidly from 10 to 15 feet over the next week. Recreationists on and around Lucky Peak reservoir should be aware the pool elevation is rising, and water levels may increase rapidly. Care should be taken near the edge of the water, especially overnight because the pool elevation could rise significantly during that time.

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 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.wrh.noaa.gov/boi/

http://www.adacounty.id.gov/flood