Update….

Updated reservoir forecasts indicate that winter releases of 450 cubic feet per second are required from Jamestown Dam.  The table below shows the updated release reduction schedule for Jamestown and Pipestem Dams to winter levels.  The new target combined release rate is 700 cfs.

 

Jamestown Dam Releases (cfs)

Pipestem Dam Releases (cfs)

Total Combined Release (cfs)

Monday, Dec. 2

500

500

1,000

Tuesday, Dec. 3

450

400

850

Wednesday, Dec. 4

450

250

700

The Corps of Engineers will operate to minimize the risk of ice-related flooding, and adjustments to the releases will be made as needed.

Jamestown Dam on Monday was  at a pool elevation of 1440.7 feet, 25% into the flood pool, and is dropping.  The pool elevation peaked Nov. 12 at 1442.0 feet, which was 31% into the flood pool.  Inflows are near 500 cfs, and releases are 500 cfs.

Pipestem Dam on Monday was  at a pool elevation of 1460.2 feet, 18% into the flood pool, and is dropping.  The pool elevation peaked Oct. 29 at 1475.0 feet, which was 43% into the flood pool.  Inflows are near 300 cfs, and releases are 500 cfs.

The Corps of Engineers is coordinating with relevant agencies in North and South Dakota.

Previously…

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be stepping down releases from Jamestown and Pipestem Dams to expected winter levels by Dec. 4, 2019.

Updated river ice forecasts indicate ice formation is likely in the LaMoure area in early December.  To mitigate the risk of freeze-up ice jams or other ice-related flooding, combined releases from the dams will be reduced by 200 cubic feet per second each day to expected winter levels.  The target combined release rate is 650 cfs.

Jamestown Dam Releases (cfs)

Pipestem Dam Releases (cfs)

Total Combined Release (cfs)

Tuesday, Nov. 26

1,000

1,000

2,000

Wednesday, Nov. 27

900

900

1,800

Thursday, Nov. 28

900

900

1,800

Friday, Nov. 29

800

800

1,600

Saturday, Nov. 30

700

700

1,400

Sunday, Dec. 1

600

600

1,200

Monday, Dec. 2

500

500

1,000

Tuesday, Dec. 3

400

400

800

Wednesday, Dec. 4

400

250

650

 

The Corps of Engineers will operate to minimize the risk of ice-related flooding, and adjustments to the releases will be made as needed.

Jamestown Dam on Monday was at a pool elevation of 1441.3 feet, 28% into the flood pool, and is dropping.  The pool elevation peaked on Nov. 12 at 1442.0 feet, which was 31% into the flood pool.  Inflows are near 350 cfs, and releases are 1,100 cfs.

Pipestem Dam on Monday was at a pool elevation of 1464.2 feet, 24% into the flood pool, and is dropping.  The pool elevation peaked on Oct. 29 at 1475.0 feet, which was 43% into the flood pool.  Inflows are near 400 cfs, and releases are 1,100 cfs.

The Corps of Engineers is coordinating with relevant agencies in North and South Dakota.

Previously…

OMAHA, Neb (11-20-19)  –The Army Corps of Engineers is incrementally increasing releases from Jamestown and Pipestem Dams for the next several days as the cities of Jamestown and LaMoure prepare for higher flows.   Combined releases will reach 2,200 cubic feet per second by Friday Nov 22.

Higher releases will allow the dams to evacuate as much flood storage as possible before ice formation and prior to spring runoff.  Combined releases are currently planned to be reduced back to 1,400 cfs by Sunday, Dec. 1, but could be held if weather allows.  The tables below detail the release schedule with the current plan for operations.

Release Increases

Jamestown Dam Releases (cfs)

Pipestem Dam Releases (cfs)

Total Combined Release (cfs)

Tuesday, Nov. 19

700

900

1,600

Wednesday, Nov. 20

900

900

1,800

Thursday, Nov. 21

900

1,100

2,000

Friday, Nov. 22

1,100

1,100

2,200

 

Release Reductions

Jamestown Dam Releases (cfs)

Pipestem Dam Releases (cfs)

Total Combined Release (cfs)

Wednesday, Nov. 27

1,000

1,000

2,000

Thursday, Nov. 28

900

900

1,800

Friday, Nov. 29

800

800

1,600

Saturday, Nov. 30

700

700

1,400

 

To mitigate the risk of freeze-up ice jams or other ice-related flooding, releases from the dams will be reduced to winter releases before ice sets in, which are not expected to exceed 700 cfs.  The Corps of Engineers will operate to minimize the risk of ice-related flooding, and adjustments to the releases will be made as needed.

On Wednesday Jamestown Dam was at a pool elevation of 1442.0 ft, 31% into the flood pool, and is steady.  The pool elevation peaked on November 12 and has been holding steady since then.  Inflows are near 675 cfs, and releases are 900 cfs.

Pipestem Dam was at a pool elevation of 1467.6 ft, 29% into the flood pool, and dropping.  The pool elevation peaked on October 29 at 1475.0 ft, which was 43% into the flood pool.  Inflows are near 350 cfs, and releases are 900 cfs.

The Corps of Engineers is coordinating with relevant agencies in North and South Dakota.

Previously…

OMAHA, Neb  (11-19-19)– Starting Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers increased the releases from Jamestown and Pipestem Dams by a combined 200 cubic feet per second per day as the cities of Jamestown and LaMoure prepare for the higher flows.  The target combined release rate is 2,200 cfs.  Combined releases are currently planned to be reduced back to 1,400 cfs by Sunday, December 1, but could be held if weather allows.

Daily high temperatures have been near to above freezing for the last several weeks, resulting in river ice breakup and melting from Jamestown to LaMoure, North Dakota. Observed water temperatures have increased, and updated forecasts indicate the James River downstream of Jamestown and Pipestem Dams should not see significant ice formation for the rest of November.  The Corps of Engineers is coordinating closely with the National Weather Service to monitor temperature forecasts.

The increased releases will allow for the dams to release as much flood storage as possible before ice formation and prior to spring runoff.

To mitigate the risk of freeze-up ice jams or other ice-related flooding, the target combined release rate before ice sets in is 800 cfs.  The Corps of Engineers will operate to minimize the risk of ice-related flooding, and adjustments to the releases will be made as needed.

On Tuesday, Jamestown Dam was at a pool elevation of 1442.0 ft, 31% into the flood pool, and is steady.  Inflows into the reservoir peaked on October 30 and are steady, currently near 675 cfs.  Reservoir releases are 700 cfs.

Pipestem Dam is currently at a pool elevation of 1467.6 ft, 29% into the flood pool, and dropping.  The pool elevation peaked on October 29 at 1475.0 ft, which was 43% into the flood pool.  Inflows are near 325 cfs, and releases are 700 cfs.

The Corps of Engineers is coordinating with relevant agencies in North and South Dakota.