BISMARCK, N.D. -- Shadehill Reservoir is ready for summer recreation activities to begin. From parks and rivers to farmlands and forests, America's great outdoors fuel our national spirit of adventure and independence and help power our economy. Our lands and waters also are where our families go to unwind, to fish, hike, and hunt, and to spend valuable time together. At Shadehill Reservoir camping, boating, fishing and hiking opportunities are waiting for those who enjoy the outdoors.

According to Jim Straight, District Park Manager for Shadehill Recreation Area, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, Boat ramps at Ketterlings Point and the West Cabin area are open.

Reservoir elevation rose one foot in the past two months with the current elevation at 2264.0, although the spring inflows have been below average. Reclamation will allow the reservoir to rise another four feet this spring, but this will depend on inflows. The reservoir will be lowered during June and July to complete the Ketterlings Point Shore Protection contract.

"The contractor plans to begin placing riprap in August 2012," said Jeff Nettleton, Chief of Facility Operation and Maintenance and Engineering Services for Reclamation's Dakotas Area Office. "We will begin to draw the reservoir down during June and July. The goal would be to have the reservoir near elevation 2263.5 by the time the contractor arrives to begin work."

The following information provides details on the status of Reclamation's South Dakota Reservoirs and Keyhole Reservoir in northeastern Wyoming.

Shadehill

The present elevation at Shadehill is 2,264.0, which is eight feet from full. A controlled release of 20 cfs is being made to the Grand River.

Keyhole Reservoir

Keyhole Reservoir is currently at elevation 4,098.7, with full reservoir elevation being 4,099.3. The controlled release through the outlet works is 50 cfs.

Belle Fourche

Belle Fourche Reservoir is currently at elevation 2,974.3, with a full reservoir elevation being 2,975. A release of 160 cfs is being made to North and South Canals. Current inflows into the Belle Fourche Reservoir from Inlet Canal are approximately 300 cfs. Belle Fourche Dam is an off-stream storage reservoir located on Owl Creek. The reservoir is filled by diverting water from the Belle Fourche River at the Diversion Dam near Belle Fourche, through the Inlet Canal to the reservoir. Additional inflows from Owl Creek, which flows directly into the Belle Fourche Reservoir, also contribute to the reservoir during snow melt and precipitation events.

Angostura Reservoir

The current elevation at Angostura is 3,185.85, with a release of 115 cfs being made to the canal and irrigation system. Angostura Reservoir is full at elevation 3,187.2.

Pactola

Pactola Reservoir is currently at elevation 4,579.25, which is approximately one foot from full. Pactola releases are set at 40 cfs, and will be adjusted as spring inflows change. If current inflows to Pactola continue, releases will be adjusted upward over the summer months to achieve the desired five-foot drawdown by Labor Day.

Deerfield Reservoir

Deerfield Reservoir is at elevation 5,907.50, which is 0.5 feet from full. The release from Deerfield to Castle Creek is 18 cfs, and releases will be adjusted for spring inflows.

Note: The 2012 water year runs from October 1, 2011 to September 30, 2012.