Omaha  (USACE) –  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has increased the water  releases from Jamestown Dam (North Dakota)  to 350 cubic feet per second, and increase from 250 cfs.

On Monday the pool elevation at Jamestown Dam was 1431.9 feet, almost one foot into the flood control pool. Continued rains in the upper basin have increased flows into the reservoir.

The current pool elevation at Pipestem Dam (North Dakota) is 1461.7 feet, about 20% into its flood pool. Releases are 500 cfs.  This release is expected to stay constant for the remainder of the summer. The target date for flood control evacuation at Pipestem Dam is Sept. 1.

The total combined releases with these gate changes is 850 cfs. Releases were coordinated with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the City of Jamestown. Weekend rains caused flooding downstream in the Elm River basin, which enters the James River near Columbia, South Dakota.  The release increases from Jamestown Dam will not impact current flooding near Columbia due to the long travel time between Jamestown and Columbia. Basin conditions will continue to be evaluated, and releases will be modified as necessary.