OMAHA, Neb -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, is increasing reservoir releases at Jamestown and Pipestem dams in North Dakota to begin evacuating spring snowmelt runoff.
The current pool elevation at Jamestown Dam is 1439.1 ft., approximately 18% into its flood pool. The reservoir is rising due to spring snowmelt. Releases will be increased by 200 cubic feet per second each day until a rate of 800 cfs is reached. With the goal of evacuating flood storage by June 1.
The current pool elevation at Pipestem Dam is 1470.9 ft., measuring approximately 35% into its flood pool and also rising due to spring snowmelt. A small release of 50 cfs will be initiated today. It is expected this release will remain constant until June 15.
USACE will attempt to follow normal evacuation targets of June 1 at Jamestown Dam and Sept. 1 at Pipestem Dam. The maximum combined releases are not expected to exceed 1,200 cfs, but above-normal precipitation could impact the forecast.
Release no. 20-042