News Release Archive

Reclamation announces spring reservoir levels for areas in eastern Montana

Media Contact: Jack Conner, 406-247-7300, jconner@usbr.gov

For Release: May 19, 2020

BILLINGS, Montana —The Bureau of Reclamation has announced that water levels at most Reclamation- managed reservoirs in eastern Montana are at or above average for this time of year.

“Most boat ramps should be usable at all Reclamation reservoirs east of the Continental Divide during the Memorial Day weekend,” said Montana Area Manager, Steve Davies. “As always, we strongly encourage water-based recreationists to check for the most up-to-date water level conditions at Reclamation’s website https://www.usbr.gov/gp/boat/index.html before heading to your favorite reservoir,” said Davies.

Current conditions at Reclamation facilities include:

• Clark Canyon Reservoir – Inflows to the reservoir are below average for this time of year. However, storage is only 3 feet below the top of active conservation pool. Boaters will be able to launch at all locations around Clark Canyon Reservoir.


• Canyon Ferry Reservoir – Inflows to Canyon Ferry are average for this time of year. The reservoir level is about 12 feet below the top of the joint-use pool and releases to the Missouri River are near 4,300 cubic feet per second (cfs) to conserve storage in Canyon Ferry Reservoir. Most boat ramps at Canyon Ferry are currently usable.


• Gibson Reservoir – Inflows and the reservoir level at Gibson Reservoir are above average for this time of year. The boat ramp at Gibson Reservoir will be usable during Memorial Day Weekend.


• Lake Elwell (Tiber Reservoir) – Inflows to Tiber Reservoir are above average for this time of year. The reservoir level is about 4 feet below the top of the joint-use pool. Releases to the Marias River are currently being maintained near 1,500 cfs. Boaters can launch at all boat ramps.


• Fresno Reservoir – Inflows to Fresno Reservoir are average for this time of year. The reservoir level is near the top of the joint-use pool. Releases to the Milk River are currently near 600 cfs. All boat ramps at Fresno Reservoir are currently usable.


• Nelson Reservoir – Nelson Reservoir is nearly full, and the reservoir level is above average for this time of year. Boaters should be able to launch at all locations around Nelson Reservoir.


• Bighorn Lake (Yellowtail Dam) – The reservoir level is about 29 feet below the top of the joint- use pool and continuing to fill. Releases to the Bighorn River are below average and are being maintained at 2,000 cfs to conserve storage in Bighorn Lake. For more information regarding recreation activities and boat launching at Bighorn Lake, recreationists are encouraged to contact the National Park Service at 406-666-3218 or visit the National Park Service’s website https://www.nps.gov/bica/index.htm.



Each year hundreds of lives are lost... thousands are injured... and millions of dollars of property damage occurs because of preventable recreational boating accidents on U.S. waterways. Too often recreation outings turn tragic. You — as a boat operator, passenger, or concerned individual — can make a difference. For more information visit www.uscgboating.org.

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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.