News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Reservoir Information

Media Contact: Jeff Nettleton, (605) 394-9757
Curt Anderson

For Release: March 06, 2009

The Bureau of Reclamation reports that as of today the Belle Fourche Reservoir is at elevation 2973.5 which is within one and one-half feet of being full. According to Jeff Nettleton, Chief of Facility Operation and Maintenance and Engineering Services for the Dakotas Area Office, the Belle Fourche Irrigation District could begin shutting off the Diversion Dam on the Belle Fourche River just east of Belle Fourche, S.D., early next week.

As a result of the shut off, the river flows which were being diverted into Belle Fourche Reservoir through the Inlet Canal will now be in the Belle Fourche River channel downstream of the Diversion Dam. Landowners along the river below the Diversion Dam should expect river levels to rise which could cause lowland flooding and ice jam concerns.

Nettleton explained that the Belle Fourche reservoir is currently 93 percent full with the full reservoir being at elevation 2975.00. Projected inflows to the reservoir from Owl Creek and other lesser drainages that flow directly into Belle Fourche Reservoir will fill the reservoir.

Following is the status of Reclamations other South Dakota Reservoirs:

Pactola Reservoir

Pactola Reservoir is at elevation 4576.8 which is 3.4 feet from full. Inflows for water year 2009, which began on October 1, 2008, are 120 percent of average. If inflows remain at present levels Pactola Reservoir is expected to fill this spring.

Deerfield Reservoir

The current release at Deerfield is 8 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the reservoir level is at 5905.4 which is 2.6 feet from full. Inflows since October 1, 2008, are 81 percent of average and the reservoir is 94 percent full. Given current conditions Deerfield Reservoir is expected to fill this spring.

Keyhole Reservoir

Inflows to Keyhole since October 1, 2008, are 204 percent of average and the reservoir has risen 1.5 feet. Keyhole is about 13 feet from full and at 50 percent of capacity.

Shadehill Reservoir

Shadehill Reservoir on the Grand River near Lemmon, S.D., is about 8.3 feet from full. Inflows for February were 150 percent of average and Shadehill Reservoir is 69 percent full. Shadehill Reservoir is 6.3 feet higher than last year at this time.

Angostura Reservoir

Since October 1, 2008, Angostura Reservoir has risen nearly 3 feet and is 64 percent full. Last year Angostura peaked at elevation 3178.3 on June 12, 2008. Angostura is presently at elevation 3176.1 which is 8 feet higher than last year at this time. Angostura is 64 percent full.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

Dakotas Area Office Home Page