"The silt run is an operation that provides silt-laden water to Goshen, Gering-Fort Laramie, and Pathfinder Irrigation Districts under contract with Reclamation," Smith said.

On July 8, the release of water from Glendo Reservoir will be decreased from about 5,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) to a flow of approximately 1,000 cfs. The decreased flow will cause a rapid decline of the Guernsey Reservoir level of approximately 25 feet starting the night of July 8 through July 12. By Monday morning, July 9, the boat ramps at Guernsey Reservoir will no longer be useable due to the low reservoir level.

Water released from Glendo Reservoir will flow through Guernsey Reservoir, flushing silt from Guernsey Reservoir into the canals of downstream irrigators. The silt run will begin on July 12, and is anticipated to continue through July 25. Beginning on July 25, the release of water from Glendo Reservoir will be rapidly increased to refill Guernsey Reservoir. The boat ramps at Guernsey Reservoir may not be available until July 31.

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