Corps updates winter reservoir releases

Update….

OMAHA, Neb. (USACE) —  (12-2-19) 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.

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…

OMAHA, Neb. (USACE) — (11-25-19)  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.

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.

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.