The Wyoming Area Office of the Bureau of Reclamation in Mills, Wyoming, will be lowering the water level in Guernsey Reservoir as the 2005 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 of the Irrigation Districts, Reclamation will begin drawing down Guernsey Reservoir on Monday August 29. To avoid potential problems associated with declining reservoir levels, Reclamation advises that watercraft be removed from the reservoir after Sunday August 28. Beginning on August 29, the reservoir level will start to decline and it will continue to decline until irrigation deliveries cease.

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