The reservoir had been drawn down to provide Reclamation geologists and drill crew personnel access to collect data needed to design an intake structure for the proposed generating unit. However, recent rainfall raised the reservoir before the field work could be performed.

Reclamation will attempt to draw the reservoir down again in late January or early February to allow completion of the field work, which should take about two weeks to complete. Normal reservoir operations will resume once the field explorations have been completed. Irrigation operations will be ready to start up on April 1, 2013.

People in the area are advised to exercise caution along the riverbank as the reservoir is again drawn down and more of the shoreline is exposed. The exposed banks are unstable and should be avoided.

For more information on the drawdown, please contact Brent Jensen, Power Plant Maintenance Supervisor at Reclamation's Black Canyon Facility Office, at (208) 365-2600 ext. 18.

Black Canyon Diversion Dam was constructed in 1924 as part of the Payette Division of the Boise Project. It is a multipurpose facility that provides water for irrigation, hydropower, and recreation.