Missouri River Water Management News

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Decreasing releases at Jamestown & Pipestem Dams in preparation for river ice

Published Nov. 1, 2019

 With below-normal temperatures observed and forecast in Jamestown, North Dakota, river ice downstream of Jamestown and Pipestem Reservoirs could form as soon as Nov. 11. To mitigate the risk of freeze-up ice jams or other ice-related flooding, the target combined release rate before ice-in is 800 cubic feet per second.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be stepping down releases 200 cfs per day with the target combined release rate of 800 cfs achieved on Nov. 10, 2019.  The table below details the current release schedule.

 

 

Jamestown Dam Releases (cfs)

Pipestem Dam Releases (cfs)

Total Combined Release (cfs)

Sunday, Nov. 3

1,100

1,100

2,200

Monday, Nov. 4

1,000

1,000

2,000

Tuesday, Nov. 5

900

900

1,800

Wednesday, Nov. 6

800

800

1,600

Thursday, Nov. 7

700

700

1,400

Friday, Nov. 8

600

600

1,200

Saturday, Nov. 9

500

500

1,000

Sunday, Nov. 10

400

400

800

 

 

River ice forecasts will be continuously updated during this time.  If conditions change and the forecast ice-in date shifts, combined releases will be held at 1,400 cfs until three days before the new ice-in date.

Combined winter releases are not expected to exceed 850 cfs; however, additional precipitation or higher than expected baseflow could necessitate higher release levels.  Ice conditions in the entire James River basin will be continually evaluated throughout the winter.  The Corps of Engineers will operate to minimize the risk of ice-related flooding, and adjustments to the releases will be made as needed.

Jamestown Dam is currently at a pool elevation of 1441.0 ft, over 25% into the flood pool, and rising.  Inflows into the reservoir peaked on Oct. 30 and are dropping, currently near 2,100 cfs.  Reservoir releases are 1,200 cfs.

Pipestem Dam is currently at a pool elevation of 1474.1 ft, about 41% into the flood pool, and dropping.  The pool elevation peaked on Oct. 29 at 1475.0 ft, which was 43% into the flood pool.  Inflows are holding steady near 800 cfs, and releases are 1,200 cfs.

The Corps of Engineers is coordinating with relevant agencies in North and South Dakota.


Release no. 19-126