OMAHA, Neb.—Inflows into Jamestown and Pipestem Reservoirs have increased with the weekend rainfall and are expected to be elevated for the next couple of weeks. Adequate storage is available at both reservoirs.
Currently releases are 100 cubic feet per second at Pipestem Reservoir and were increased to 950 cfs at Jamestown Reservoir today resulting in a combined release of 1050 cfs. Jamestown Reservoir releases were decreased to 800 cfs over the weekend due to the rainfall. The release was increased back to 950 cfs on May 21. The maximum combined release is expected to stay below 1200 cfs.
Pipestem Reservoir is currently at pool elevation 1468.0 feet which results in 30% of the flood pool occupied. Inflows are currently 880 cfs. Jamestown Reservoir is currently at pool elevation 1439.6 feet which results in 20 percent of the flood pool occupied. Inflows are currently 2630 cfs.
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. 20130521-001