The Army Corps of Engineers is increasing releases at the four lower dams on the Missouri River following heavy rains in August. The higher releases will move flood water stored in the Mainstem Reservoir System preparing it to capture next year’s anticipated runoff, thus lessening potential future flood risk.
Jody Farhat is Chief of the Water Management Division in the Omaha office of the Corps…
Farhat says they can cut back releases if there is more heavy rain…
Farhat says high fall releases are not unusual…
Farhat said releases from Gavins Point Dam will be stepped up from the current release rate of 41 thousand cubic feet per second (cfs) to 45,500 cfs during the next several days, and are expected to remain near that level throughout the fall. The excess water will also allow the Corps to extend the navigation season 10 days and provide higher winter releases, which will benefit winter hydropower generation and reduce risks to water intakes during periods of ice formation this winter.
