OMAHA, Neb. — Jamestown Reservoir releases will be decreased to 900 cubic feet per second and Pipestem Reservoir releases will be increased to 300 cfs on Thursday, June 20. The combined release will remain at 1200 cfs. Both reservoirs have peaked and are beginning to drop.
Jamestown Reservoir is currently at pool elevation 1439.1 feet which results in 18 percent of the flood pool occupied. Inflows are currently 300 cfs. Jamestown Reservoir peaked at pool elevation 1441.0 feet on June 5. Pipestem Reservoir is currently at pool elevation 1474.0 feet which results in 41 percent of the flood pool occupied. Inflows are 175 cfs. Pipestem Reservoir peaked at pool elevation 1474.1 feet on June 14.
Depending on rainfall, the current combined release of 1200 cfs is expected to continue until the first week of July. After the combined releases are reduced, high stages will continue for several weeks near the state line as release reductions work their way downstream. The flood storage at Jamestown Reservoir is expected to be evacuated by the middle of July. Pipestem Reservoir flood storage is expected to be evacuated by September 1.
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. 130619-001