OMAHA, Neb. — Due to high flows on the James River south of Jamestown and Pipestem Reservoirs, the combined release will remain at the current level of 900 cubic feet per second (cfs). Basin conditions and forecasts will be continuously evaluated and adjustments to the releases will be made as needed due to future rainfall and reservoir inflows.
The reservoirs held a 1200 cfs combined release from May 23 to June 20 with both pool elevations peaking during that time and now slowly falling. Reservoir inflows also decreased over that period and are currently approaching normal summer levels. The lower inflows into the reservoirs make it possible to stay at the combined release level of 900 cfs. If future rainfall significantly increases inflows to the reservoirs, the combined release rate may need to be increased back to 1200 cfs.
With the current combined release of 900 cfs, Jamestown Reservoir flood storage is expected to be evacuated in late July. After Jamestown is evacuated, Pipestem releases will be ramped up to 600 cfs to evacuate flood storage by early September. After the reservoir releases are reduced, high river stages will continue along the James River from the state line through South Daktoa for several weeks as release reductions work their way downstream.
Residents along the James River downstream from Jamestown should monitor flood forecasts by the National Weather Service and make preparations as necessary to minimize damages from high river levels. Flood forecasts on the James River in North Dakota and South Dakota are available on the Missouri Basin River Forecasting Center website at http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mbrfc/.
Data from gages on the James River in North Dakota and South Dakota is available on the U.S. Geological Survey website at http://nd.water.usgs.gov/floodinfo/james.html. Daily reservoir information is provided by the Corps at http://www.nwd-mr.usace.army.mil/rcc/nwo/dailybull.pdf.
Release no. 20130625-002