Release schedule set for Jamestown, Pipestem Dams

  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is incrementally increasing releases from Jamestown and Pipestem Dams for the next several days as the cities of Jamestown and LaMoure, North Dakota, prepare for higher flows.  Combined releases will reach 2,200 cubic feet per second by Friday, Nov. 22. 

Higher releases will allow the dams to evacuate as much flood storage as possible before ice formation and prior to spring runoff.  Combined releases are currently planned to be reduced back to 1,400 cfs by Sunday, Dec. 1, but could be held if weather allows.  The tables below detail the release schedule with the current plan for operations.

To mitigate the risk of freeze-up ice jams or other ice-related flooding, releases from the dams will be reduced to winter releases before ice sets in, which are not expected to exceed 700 cfs.  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 1442.0 ft, 31% into the flood pool, and is steady.  The pool elevation peaked on November 12 and has been holding steady since then.  Inflows are near 675 cfs, and releases are 900 cfs.

Pipestem Dam is currently at a pool elevation of 1467.6 ft, 29% into the flood pool, and dropping.  The pool elevation peaked on October 29 at 1475.0 ft, which was 43% into the flood pool.  Inflows are near 350 cfs, and releases are 900 cfs.

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