News Release Archive

Flows reduced from Bowman Dam

Media Contact: Annette Ross, (208) 378-5322, aross@usbr.gov

For Release: October 16, 2018

PRINEVILLE, Ore. – The Bureau of Reclamation, with coordination from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) and NOAA Fisheries, reduced fish and wildlife winter flows from Arthur R. Bowman Dam from 65 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 50 cfs on Wednesday, October 10, 2018.

This action is based on recent information regarding total Prineville Reservoir storage, uncontracted storage, and meteorological conditions over the last several months and as forecasted for the next several months.

A flow of 50 cfs would provide about 74 percent of chinook juvenile habitat, and about 73 percent of steelhead juvenile habitat. The proposed flow modification would reduce available chinook and steelhead habitat by 8 percent and 7 percent, respectively. Conserving stored water for fish and wildlife for subsequent water years can be vital for maintaining instream flows.

Arthur R. Bowman Dam is located on the Crooked River about 20 miles southeast of Prineville.

For real-time Crooked River flows at Reclamation facilities in the Pacific Northwest Region, visit https://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/rtindex/crooked.html.

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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/crooked.html