News Release Archive

Boise River Flow to Increase

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, 01/24/2006 16:56
Brian Sauer, bsauer@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: January 24, 2006

The Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will gradually increase the streamflow along the Boise River as part of flood control releases beginning January 25.

Flows from Lucky Peak Reservoir will be increased by about 400 cubic feet per second each day, continuing through January 27. The current flow rate at the Glenwood Bridge gauging station is about 290 cfs. The flows through Boise will be about 1,300 cfs on January 27, and will be increased to 2,300 cfs by February 3.

"Higher than normal snowpack levels have initiated the need to release water to minimize the risk of flooding in the spring, which can occur with rapidly melting snow and precipitation," said Brian Sauer, Acting Water Operations Manager.

Current water storage in Boise River reservoirs is about 50 percent of capacity and the projected runoff for April through July is expected to be about 130 percent of average. A full supply of water for irrigation is anticipated.

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