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- Fluctuation of North Platte River Flow Downstream of Gray Reef Dam
News Release Archive
Fluctuation of North Platte River Flow Downstream of Gray Reef Dam
Media Contact:
Mahonri Williams, (307) 261-5671, mlwilliams@usbr.gov
For Release: February 26, 2018
MILLS, Wyo. -- The Bureau of Reclamation, in response to a request from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, has scheduled a series of fluctuating flows in the North Platte River downstream of Gray Reef Dam.
The purpose of the fluctuations is to improve trout reproduction in the river. This spring, the Wyoming Game & Fish has requested flows for ten consecutive days.
On March 12, flows in the river below Gray Reef Dam will fluctuate from 500 cfs to 4000 cfs according to the following schedule:
| HOURS | GRAY REEF OUTFLOWS (cfs) |
| 00:01 to 01:00 a.m. | 500 |
| 01:00 to 03:00 a.m. | 2,000 |
| 03:00 to 07:00 a.m. | 4,000 |
| 07:00 to 08:00 a.m. | 3,000 |
| 08:00 to 09:00 a.m. | 2,000 |
| 09:00 to 10:00 a.m. | 1,000 |
| 10:00 to midnight | 500 |
This schedule will be repeated daily on March 13 through March 21. After completing the flushing flow on March 21, the flows below Gray Reef Dam will return to 500 cfs. The schedule may be modified depending on river ice conditions.
The flushing flows are expected to clean the spawning gravels of fine sediment which has accumulated over the winter. The fluctuations in the river flow will be achieved without loss of power generation and the water released from Alcova Reservoir will be restored downstream in Glendo Reservoir.
The public is urged to use caution during this period of rapid fluctuation of flows below Gray Reef Dam.
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