The Owyhee Irrigation District is issuing a warning to those downstream of possible increases in flows from Owyhee Reservoir over the next several days because of continuing precipitation in the area and a need to prepare for flood control operations. Owyhee Dam is located on the Owyhee River in Oregon, about 50 miles west of Boise, Idaho. Releases from the reservoir are currently at a rate of about 250 cubic feet per second. The increased runoff is a result of higher than normal snow pack and warmer weather conditions over the last several weeks.

The increased flows will help prevent the reservoir from filling too rapidly, thus decreasing the risk of high flows later in the runoff season. Downstream flow rates between Owyhee Dam and the Snake River will fluctuate to sustain the necessary reservoir storage requirements. The higher flows are expected to occur during the next few weeks until appropriate space has been made available.