News Release Archive

Boise River flows increase to bankfull

Media Contact: Gina Baltrusch, (509) 527-7018, 05/25/2018 10:24
Michael Coffey, mcoffey@usbr.gov

For Release: May 25, 2018

BOISE, Idaho – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation are increasing flows from Lucky Peak Dam by 1,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) on Friday, May 25. The increase in flows will be completed by increasing 500 cfs at 9 am and 500 cfs at 11 am. Flows through the city of Boise, as measured at the Glenwood Bridge gauge, will increase to approximately 6,500 cfs by Friday afternoon, and may fluctuate slightly due to changing irrigation withdrawals or local precipitation. The increase in flows is necessary because of continued wet conditions forecasted over the next week. Residents can expect future adjustments in flows through the greater Boise area as reservoir managers continue to operate the reservoir system for flood risk management.

A flow rate of approximately 7,000 cfs is considered flood-stage level at the Glenwood Bridge gauge on the Boise River. At 6,500 cfs (considered bankfull), large sections of the Greenbelt path adjacent to the river will be submerged and minor flooding may affect portions of Eagle Island. The Greenbelt serves as a flowage easement area, intentionally designed to provide space for higher flows occurring in the Boise River.

Currently, the Boise River reservoirs are at approximately 98 percent of capacity. As the flood risk subsides in the coming weeks, Lucky Peak’s reservoir will be filled to the normal summer operating level to accommodate recreational opportunities. A full supply of irrigation water is anticipated this summer. For real-time Boise River flows at Reclamation facilities in the Pacific Northwest Region, visit https://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/rtindex/boise.html.

Officials advise the public to be aware of the danger associated with increased Boise River flows. The water is deep, cold, and fast. Extreme caution should be used near the river banks.

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.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/rtindex/boise.html