OMAHA, Neb. -- Water releases from Fort Randall Dam at Pickstown, South Dakota and Gavins Point Dam near Yankton, South Dakota are being increased this week in support of the 2017 navigation season downstream. At Gavins Point, releases will be increased 3,000 cfs per day until they reach navigation support levels, which are estimated at 25,000 to 28,000 cfs this spring. Fort Randall’s releases will be used to back up the Gavins Point releases and are typically 2,000 to 3,000 cfs lower than Gavins Point.
Due to scheduled maintenance, water releases are currently limited to 20,000 cfs though the powerhouse at both Fort Randall and Gavins Point. At Fort Randall, flows above that level will be released through the outlet works. Buoys have been placed below the outlet works to protect boaters from the extra turbulence caused by water releases from the outlet structure. Boats are not allowed upstream of the cabled buoy line. At Gavins Point, flows above 20,000 cfs will be released through the spillway.
Scheduled maintenance at both projects will continue through mid-April.
Release no. 17-027