OMAHA, Neb. - Heavy rain has fallen over the past few days in the James River basin downstream of Jamestown and Pipestem Reservoirs. The combined reservoir release was reduced on June 20 from 1200 cfs to 900 cfs. Potential for heavy rain continues for the next several days, so the combined release rate of 900 cfs will be held through the weekend.
Jamestown Reservoir is currently at pool elevation 1438.8 feet which results in 17 percent of the flood pool occupied. Inflows are currently 370 cfs with a reservoir release of 700 cfs. Pipestem Reservoir is currently at pool elevation 1473.9 feet which results in 41 percent of the flood pool occupied. Inflows are currently 165 cfs and the reservoir release is 200 cfs. When downstream conditions permit, the Jamestown Reservoir releases will be increased to 900 cfs and the Pipestem Reservoir releases will be increased to 300 cfs resulting in a combined release of 1200 cfs.
Depending on rainfall, the combined release of 1200 cfs is expected to continue until the second week of July. After the combined releases are reduced, high stages will continue near the state line for several weeks 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 early September.
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. 130621-001