News Release Archive

Reclamation announces spring reservoir levels for areas in Eastern Montana

Media Contact: Jack Conner, (406) 247-7300, 05/21/2018 15:37

For Release: May 21, 2018

BILLINGS, Montana -- The Bureau of Reclamation has announced that water levels at most Reclamation-managed reservoirs in eastern Montana are at or above average for this time of year.

"Most boat ramps should be usable at all Reclamation reservoirs east of the Continental Divide during the Memorial Day weekend," said Montana Area Manager, Steve Davies. "As always, we strongly encourage water-based recreationists to check for the most up-to-date water level conditions at Reclamation's website www.usbr.gov/gp/boat/index.html before heading to your favorite reservoir," said Davies.

Current conditions at Reclamation facilities include:

  • Clark Canyon Reservoir - Inflows to the reservoir are above average for this time of year. The reservoir is about 1 foot into the exclusive flood control pool. Boaters will be able to launch at all locations around Clark Canyon Reservoir.
  • Canyon Ferry Reservoir - Inflows to Canyon Ferry are above average for this time of year. The reservoir level is about 9 feet below the top of the joint-use pool and releases to the Missouri River are near 16,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) in order to safely store the anticipated spring runoff.

    Due to Canyon Ferry Reservoir being suspect for aquatic invasive mussel larvae, only Yacht Basin, Kim’s Marina, Goose Bay, Silos and Hellgate boat ramps are open to all boaters. All other ramps at the reservoir are only open to certified local boaters. The ramps open to all boaters either have a decontamination station assigned to them or in close proximity. Decontamination stations are located at the Bureau of Reclamation Visitor Center on the north end of the reservoir, at the Silos boat ramp on the south end, and at Hellgate and Goose Bay, both on the east side of the reservoir. All watercraft leaving Canyon Ferry will be required to go through a decontamination station unless they are part of the certified local boater program. For more information on mussels and inspection stations, please visit fwp.mt.gov/fishAndWildlife/species/ais/.
  • Gibson Reservoir - Inflows and reservoir level at Gibson Reservoir are above average for this time of year. The boat ramp at Gibson Reservoir is currently usable.
  • Lake Elwell (Tiber Reservoir) - Inflows to Tiber Reservoir are above average for this time of year. The reservoir level is about 1 feet below the top of the joint-use pool. Releases to the Marias River are currently being maintained near 3,000 cfs.

    Due to Tiber Reservoir testing positive for aquatic invasive mussel larvae, only two boat ramps remain open to all watercrafts, Tiber Marina and the VFW Campground. All other ramps at the reservoir are only open to certified local boaters. All watercraft leaving Tiber Reservoir will be required to go through a decontamination station unless they are part of the certified local boater program.
  • Fresno Reservoir - Inflows to Fresno Reservoir are near average for this time of year. The reservoir level is about 1 feet below the top of the joint-use pool. Releases to the Milk River are currently near 600 cfs. All boat ramps at Fresno Reservoir are currently usable.
  • Nelson Reservoir - Nelson Reservoir is nearly full and the reservoir level is above average for this time of year. Boaters should be able to launch at all locations around Nelson Reservoir.
  • Bighorn Lake (Yellowtail Dam) - The reservoir level is about 23 feet below the top of the joint-use pool and continuing to fill. Releases to the Bighorn River are above average, and are fluctuating between 6,000 and 8,000 cfs, due to flood conditions on the Yellowstone River. Boaters will be able to launch at OK-A-BEH and Barry's Landing, and Horseshoe Bend. For more information regarding all other recreation activities and boat launching at Bighorn Lake, recreationists are encouraged to contact the National Park Service at 406-666-3218.

    Each year hundreds of lives are lost... thousands are injured... and millions of dollars of property damage occurs because of preventable recreational boating accidents on U.S. waterways. Too often recreation outings turn tragic. You – as a boat operator, passenger, or concerned individual – can make a difference. For more information visit www.uscgboating.org.

    # # #

    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:

    Montana Area Office Home Page