September 20, 2001
John Redding
(208) 378-5212
Stuart Stanger
(208) 678-0461 ext. 15
Island Park Operations Plan Calls for Immediate Storage
The Bureau of Reclamation and the Fremont Madison Irrigation District will immediately begin storing water behind Island Park Dam in order to increase in-stream flows for fish and wildlife during the winter season.
Reclamation met on September 17, with representatives from Utah Power and Light, City of Idaho Falls, Fremont Madison Irrigation District, Idaho Department of Fish & Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Henry’s Fork Foundation to discuss options to increase winter flows for the benefit of trumpeter swans, fisheries, and other aquatic resources.
Flows on September 17 were 325 cubic feet per second (cfs), and were reduced by 50 cfs on September 18, and will reach 150 cfs by Friday, September 21.
A 1984 agreement encourages interested parties to work together to enhance winter flows.
"The agencies must continue working together with the irrigation, power, and fish & wildlife interests to coordinate operations in order to maximize benefits," said Stuart Stanger, Deputy Area Manager for Reclamation’s Snake River Area Office. "Coordination is especially important in water short years like this one."
For more information about this project or questions regarding Snake River water operations, contact Mike Beus, Water Operations Manager, Snake River Area Office East, Bureau of Reclamation at (208) 678-0461, ext. 27.
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