August 28, 2001
Richard Wells
(208) 334-1461

Boise and Payette River Operations Face Seasonal Adjustments

The Bureau of Reclamation will be making some seasonal adjustments to the river operations based on the amount of water presently in the system and requirements for in-stream flows for fish and wildlife.

The flow rate downstream from Anderson Ranch Reservoir is being reduced from 600 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 300 cfs. The flow was reduced to 450 cfs early Tuesday, August 28th., and will be further reduced to 300 cfs on August 29. The 300 cfs flow rate will be maintained throughout the fall and possibly until next spring. This is the minimum flow recommended for fishery protection in the South Fork of the Boise River during the fall and winter period.

The release rate from Lucky Peak Reservoir is expected to remain nearly constant for the next several weeks as water continues to be released to meet irrigation demand. The reservoir level at Lucky Peak is dropping about two feet per day and the reservoir water level will continue to drop for another month or more.

In the Payette Basin the release from Deadwood Reservoir is being decreased this week to the minimum release of 50 cfs. The flow rate will be 50 cfs by August 29. This flow reduction is necessary at this time to maintain a reservoir storage level adequate for the protected bull trout and other resident fish. The release from Cascade Reservoir is 1,300 cfs and will increase over the next several days as releases from Deadwood Reservoir are reduced. Releases from Cascade Reservoir are supplying irrigation water to farm land in the Payette Valley.

The flow rate in the North Fork of the Payette downstream from Cascade Reservoir should be suitable for rafting through the Labor Day weekend and until mid-September.

Boat ramps are still available for use at Anderson Ranch, Arrowrock, and Lucky Peak. The boat ramp at Deadwood Reservoir is not available.