OMAHA, Neb. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has begun drawing down Conestoga Reservoir about 6 feet to facilitate repairs to dam safety instrumentation that monitors reservoir elevations.
In December, a pipe used to measure the reservoir level was damaged by ice action after an unusual volume of runoff resulted in a rapid reservoir rise after completion of the recent lake rehabilitation last fall. The current reservoir elevation is approximately 1231 feet and will need to be temporarily lowered to the approximate elevation of 1225 feet to perform the necessary repairs.
Conditions downstream are being considered in the decision to lower the reservoir. Once the repairs are complete, the gate will be closed and the reservoir will be allowed to refill with spring and summer rainfall. Assuming average precipitation and inflows for the remainder of the year, it is expected that the reservoir will reach its normal elevation by July 2019.
Release no. 19-035