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- Reclamation Provides Update on Willow Creek Dam Operations
News Release Archive
Reclamation Provides Update on Willow Creek Dam Operations
Media Contact:
Jack Conner, (406) 247-7300, jconner@usbr.gov
For Release: June 20, 2018
BILLINGS, Mont. -- The Bureau of Reclamation's Willow Creek Dam near Augusta, Montana, is experiencing high inflows as a result of heavy rain in the greater Sun River Basin. The current reservoir elevation is 2 feet above the normal full level, and has reached the elevation of the uncontrolled spillway. Inflows into Willow Creek Reservoir are currently averaging about 1,000 cubic feet-per-second, and are slowly decreasing.
As the reservoir continues to rise, releases will slowly increase to match inflows as more water is passed through the spillway. Reclamation stresses that there are no concerns with the safety of Willow Creek Dam, and is working closely with local and county officials and the Greenfields Irrigation District, which operates and maintains the dam, to communicate the operations at Willow Creek Reservoir and impacts to the Sun River.
Steve Davies, Montana Area Office Manager, stated, "Through cooperation with the Greenfields Irrigation District, we are ready to respond in case we start to see a sudden increase in the amount of inflows through more rain or snow driven runoff in the higher elevations."
Local residents should be aware that operation of the uncontrolled spillway could affect Warden Road north of Augusta as it is directly downstream of the spillway. Please contact your local County Disaster and Emergency Services Office for additional updates related to road closures and impacts area flooding.
For additional information or questions, please call 406-247-7300.
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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.
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