The Wyoming Area Office of the Bureau of Reclamation in Mills, Wyoming, will be lowering the water level in Guernsey Reservoir as the 2007 irrigation season draws to a close, according to John H. Lawson, Wyoming Area Manager. The recent years of drought have left the irrigation water supplies depleted resulting in irrigation deliveries ending earlier than normal again this year.

Based on the shutdown schedule provided by the Irrigation Districts, Guernsey Reservoir is expected to remain accessible for boating recreation through the weekend of August 25-26. Reclamation will begin drawing down Guernsey Reservoir on Monday, August 27. To avoid potential problems associated with declining reservoir levels, Reclamation advises that watercraft be removed from the reservoir by the evening of Sunday, August 26. Beginning on August 27, the reservoir will begin to decline rapidly as the irrigation season draws to a close. The reservoir will not be suitable for boating recreation until next year.

Because of the continued hot temperature and lack of precipitation, demand for irrigation water will result in Glendo Reservoir possibly reaching a water surface elevation as low as 4576 feet (83,500 acre-feet) by the end of August. Glendo Reservoir levels will then stabilize and slowly increase during the winter.

Boaters, recreationists, and irrigators should take proper precautions regarding changing river flows between Glendo and Guernsey Reservoirs and the lowering of Guernsey Reservoir.