COE – Releases were increased to a combined 1,000 cfs from the projects. Jamestown is currently releasing 550 cfs, and Pipestem is releasing 450 cfs. See below email for more details regarding this release change.

OMAHA, Neb. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District will increase releases from Jamestown Dam and Pipestem Dam beginning July 25 in response to an active rainfall pattern over recent months.

Jamestown and Pipestem have seen greater than 150% of normal precipitation over the past 120 days. The continued rainfall has led to higher than usual inflows to the projects and has pushed operations into a high-flow year. Combined releases will be increased to 1,000 cubic feet per second with increases to 550 cfs at Jamestown and 450 cfs at Pipestem.

The Jamestown Reservoir was at an elevation of 1,433.5 feet and the Pipestem Reservoir was at an elevation of 1,472.1 feet as of July 24. The Omaha District will continue to monitor conditions and adjust as needed based on runoff conditions.

Previously

COE – With a wet pattern continuing upstream of Jamestown and Pipestem, flows have remained high into both reservoirs. Rainfall has been greater than 150% above normal over the past 120 days, and flows on both Pipestem Creek and on the James River have been above the 75th percentile according to USGS data. Unfortunately, any time inflows have begun to recede, another rain event has brought them back up.

We are now forecasting a high flow year, with inflow volumes to the projects projected above 160,000 ac-ft. Per the Water Control Manual, recommended releases in a high flow year range from 750 cfs – 1,200 cfs.  At this time, forecasts indicate a combined release of 1,000 cfs (initially 550 cfs from Jamestown, 450 cfs from Pipestem) is warranted to evacuate flood control storage at Jamestown and Pipestem by mid-September. This would result in an increase to combined releases of 250 cfs (100 cfs addition at Jamestown, 150 cfs addition at Pipestem). This release was chosen to minimize downstream impacts, while still evacuating flood control storage as prescribed in the Water Control Manual.  We plan to make these changes to releases this week.

COE – The Pipestem release was increased to 300 cfs and the Jamestown release was decreased to 450 cfs following the work performed at the Pipestem intake tower on July 16 that required no release from Pipestem.  No additional changes are expected through the rest of the work week as well as through the weekend.

The Pipestem release was increased to 200 cfs and the Jamestown release was decreased to 550 cfs following the work performed at the Pipestem intake tower on July 16 that required no release from Pipestem.  The plan for the gate adjustments for the rest of the week is listed below.

COE – 7/15 Releases from Pipestem are being ramped down 100 cfs per day to accommodate some work in the intake tower on July 16.  Releases from Jamestown are being ramped up to keep the combined release constant at 750 cfs.  The plan for this process is listed below.  The gray highlighted lines have been completed.  By Friday, July 19, we should be back to the release split from last week.

COE – 7/01 Release at Pipestem were increased to 300 cfs. Jamestown releases are being held at 450 cfs. Releases at Pipestem were increased in an effort to slow the pool rise, and help evacuate the flood control storage at the project.

COE – 6/12 Releases were increased to 450 cfs this afternoon at Jamestown as the pool continued to slightly rise after the last change. Pipestem continues to release 150 cfs. Combined releases are now at 600cfs from the 2 projects. Conditions will continue to be monitored and releases adjusted as necessary.

COE – 6/07 Releases were increased to 350 cfs this morning at Jamestown to account for elevated inflows. Pipestem continues to release 150 cfs. Combined releases are now at 500cfs from the 2 projects. Inflows above Pipestem have begun to recede, but remain above releases. Inflows to Jamestown remain high at Grace City and Kensal and have just recently peaked. Inflows remain above releases at Jamestown as well. Conditions will continue to be monitored and releases adjusted as necessary.

Additional forecasts run through the year further suggest a medium flow year and thus release decisions have been increased into a medium flow year range.

COE – 6/04 Releases at Pipestem were increased further after rains in the area to try and hold the pool as steady as possible. Combined releases are now at the upper end of a low flow year at 400cfs, with 150cfs from Pipestem and 250 cfs from Jamestown. Running a forecast through August shows that the basin is likely to increase to a medium flow year. This could mean increasing combined releases past 400cfs.

COE – May 28 – Releases have been increased from Pipestem and described below to 120 cfs for crappie spawning. Total combined releases are now 370 cfs. Current inflows from the projects are staying steady, but monitoring for future potential adjustments.

Earlier…..

COE – May 20 – Releases at Jamestown were increased to 250 cfs with inflows remaining elevated and the pool rising slightly.

COE May 8 – Releases at Jamestown were increased to 170 cfs as inflows remain elevated. Pipestem continues to store water, and combined releases are at 170 cfs.