21 May 2015

Releases from Tri-lakes dams changing but steady through Denver

With increased water flowing into Chatfield Reservoir, water managers with the Omaha District, in conjunction with the state of Colorado, are increasing releases from Chatfield Dam and reducing releases from Cherry Creek Dam to keep overall system releases steady. All Tri-Lakes releases will continue to be adjusted based on reservoir and hydrologic conditions. Chatfield Reservoir currently has 5.3 percent of its flood pool occupied with inflows above 2100 cfs and the release at 2050 cfs. Bear Creek Reservoir currently has 31.1 percent of its flood pool occupied with inflows around 670 cfs and a release of 500 cfs. Cherry Creek Reservoir has 1.7 percent of its flood pool occupied with inflows around 100 cfs and a release of 100 cfs. Chatfield and Bear Creek Reservoirs are currently rising and Cherry Creek Reservoir is slowly dropping.

15 May 2015

Tri-Lakes Dams capture 25,000 acre feet of runoff

Heavy rain and mountain snowmelt runoff since the beginning of May have produced high flows along the South Platte River in Colorado and its contributing tributary streams. The three Denver-area dams operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District and referred to as the Tri-Lakes Projects are Chatfield, Cherry Creek, and Bear Creek Dams. These three reservoirs have captured a combined 25,000 acre-feet of flood water during this period. The combined storage capacity of these three reservoirs is nearly 314,000 acre feet of water.

14 May 2015

Tri-Lakes Dams catching runoff from last week's storms

Runoff from last week's precipitation in Colorado is causing elevated pool levels at the Tri-Lakes dams that are owned and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District. Bear Creek, Chatfield, and Cherry Creek Dams make up the Tri-Lakes Projects and are not experiencing any dam safety issues from the recent heavy precipitation which fell in the Central Rocky Mountains region. As part of a system operations plan to evacuate flood storage, releases from the Tri-Lakes dams are as follows: Bear Creek - 500 cubic feet per second (cfs); Cherry Creek - 250 cfs; Chatfield - increasing from 1500 cfs to 1900 cfs today.

7 May 2015

Shell Creek levee construction project ribbon cutting event scheduled

In partnership with the city of Schuyler, Neb. and the Lower Platte North Natural Resources District, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has completed construction of a 2.2-mile levee along Shell Creek, north and east of Schuyler. This milestone will be celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, May 21, 2015 at 10 a.m. at the site of the new levee along Old Highway 30 (now Road E) near East 22nd Street by the old drive-in movie theatre.

6 May 2015

"Play it safe" at USACE Lakes

The warmer temperatures are bringing more visitors to recreation areas across the Omaha District. Park Rangers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are reminding visitors to have life jackets for everyone and please wear them. On average, 9 out of 10 people who drowned at a USACE lake or river project didn’t wear a life jacket. Life jackets save lives by keeping you afloat and providing time for rescue.

24 Apr 2015

Temporary Closure of East Tailrace Recreation Area at Garrison Dam

The road to the East Tailrace Recreation Area downstream of the Garrison Dam in Riverdale, N.D. will be closed on April 27 and April 28 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. This closure is required to allow sedimentation removal from the downstream boat ramp. The road to the East Tailrace will be closed during this time. Shore fishing at the East Tailrace will not be permitted. Shore fishing will remain available at the West Tailrace. Signs will be in place to direct the public. Access to the East Tailrace will reopen once the work is completed.

20 Apr 2015

Public meetings scheduled for Denver Urban Waterways Restoration Study

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in cooperation with the city and county of Denver, will hold three public meetings to gather input on the recently initiated Denver Waterways Restoration Study. The purpose of the study is to identify ecosystem restoration and flood risk reduction opportunities along critical areas of the South Platte River from 6th Avenue to 58th Avenue and flood-prone areas of Harvard Gulch and Weir Gulch.

17 Apr 2015

Ecosystem restoration study public meeting scheduled for Sheridan, WY

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in cooperation with the city of Sheridan, Wyo., will hold a public meeting on Thursday, April 30, 2015 at the Best Western, 612 N. Main Street, to gather input on an ecosystem restoration feasibility study in Sheridan. The public meeting will run from 5:30 to 7 p.m. with a brief presentation describing the study followed by an open house.

16 Apr 2015

Commander signs FONSI for Yellowstone Intake Diversion Dam Modification

Omaha District Commander Col. Joel R. Cross and Bureau of Reclamation, Great Plains Region, Montana Area Manager Brent Esplin have signed the Finding of No Significant Impact for the Lower Yellowstone Intake Diversion Dam Modification Project. The FONSI summarizes the environmental effects associated with the project and the decision of the co-lead agencies to select and implement the bypass channel alternative.

13 Apr 2015

Spring release plans for Jamestown and Pipestem reservoirs

Pipestem Reservoir is currently at pool elevation 1445.0 feet, which results in 1.7 percent of the flood pool occupied. Inflows are currently 40 cubic feet per second (cfs) with no reservoir release. Jamestown Reservoir is currently at pool elevation 1430.0 feet, which is one foot below the base of the flood pool. Inflows are currently 10 cfs with no reservoir release. The maximum combined release from the reservoirs is not expected to exceed 200 cfs; however, significant rainfall could necessitate higher release levels. The upper James River basin is currently in abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions according to the US Drought Monitor, which could decrease rainfall runoff into the reservoirs.