23 May 2013

Jamestown, Pipestem Reservoirs Update

Jamestown Reservoir releases were increased to 1000 cubic feet per second (cfs) on Thursday, May 23. Pipestem Reservoir releases are 200 cfs. The combined reservoir release is 1200 cfs and is expected to remain at this level for the next several days. Flood storage at both reservoirs continues to fill and inflows are expected to be elevated for the next couple of weeks. Adequate flood storage remains available at the reservoirs.

23 May 2013

Study indicates hydraulic flushing may serve as viable sediment management option

Results from the Phase I Lewis and Clark Lake Sedimentation Management Study indicate that high discharge, short duration reservoir releases out of Fort Randall Dam could help transport significant amounts of fine sediment out of the Missouri River.

21 May 2013

Jamestown, Pipestem Reservoirs Update

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.

17 May 2013

Corps seeks public comment on Draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment, Louisville Bend Fish and Wildlife Rehabilitation Project

A draft supplemental environmental assessment (EA) for the construction of a new channel and deep water habitat at Louisville Bend is currently available for public review. The draft supplemental EA evaluates the environmental impacts of constructing a new water supply channel between an existing pump station and the Louisville Oxbow Lake and enhancing shallow water habitat quality by excavating 2.4 acres of deep water habitat for overwintering fish. The proposed project is located on the Louisville Bend State Wildlife Area between river miles 681.7-685.4, approximately three miles west of Blencoe in Monona County, Iowa.

13 May 2013

Draft Environmental Assessment, Restoration of Emergent Sandbar Habitat Complexes in the Missouri River, North Dakota available for public comment

A draft environmental assessment for the restoration of emergent sandbar habitat complexes in the Missouri River (North Dakota) is currently available for public review. The draft EA evaluates the environmental impacts of removing and preventing vegetation on emergent sandbar habitat located within the Garrison River reach and upper Lake Oahe of the Missouri River between river mile 1381.0 and 1278.0. The public is encouraged to provide comments on the draft environmental assessment during the open comment period from May 13, 2013 to June 14, 2013. Comments must be postmarked or received no later than June 14, 2013.

13 May 2013

Annual sediment flushing exercise scheduled at Cherry Creek Reservoir

The annual sediment flushing exercise will be completed at Cherry Creek Reservoir on Wednesday, May 22, 2013. A release of 50 cubic feet per second will be made at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21 until the flush begins. The actual flushing exercise will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 22.

9 May 2013

Jamestown and Pipestem Reservoirs Update

Currently releases are 100 cfs at Pipestem Reservoir and 950 cfs at Jamestown Reservoir resulting in a combined release of 1050 cfs. These releases will be held steady through the weekend. Over the next few weeks, Jamestown Reservoir releases may be adjusted up or down depending on the inflows into the reservoir and the downstream channel conditions. However, the combined release is expected to be no higher than 1100 cfs unless significant rainfall is received. Throughout May and early June, emphasis is being placed on evacuating Jamestown Reservoir flood storage. Pipestem Reservoir flood storage will be primarily evacuated in June, July and August.

7 May 2013

Interagency Military Pass waives fees at Corps recreation sites nationwide

America the Beautiful Federal Recreation Pass Program’s Interagency Annual Pass for Military continues to be accepted at more than 2,500 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-managed recreation areas nationwide. The Omaha District does not charge day use fees at any of its recreation areas. Special event, day group facility/picnic shelters and the use of the Oahe Visitor Center do not qualify for the Military Fee Waiver. Separately, the Corps continues to waive camping fees for active duty military members and their dependents on mid- or post-deployment leave from duty in a hostile fire zone to include Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and other deployments to support Overseas Contingency Operations.

3 May 2013

Corps seeks public comment on Draft Project Implementation Report, Little Sioux Bend shallow water habitat restoration project.

A draft Project Implementation Report for the creation of new Shallow Water Habitat on the Little Sioux Bend of the Missouri River is currently available for public review. The draft PIR provides details of the Corps’ planning process in reaching a proposal to construct SWH on the Little Sioux Bend near the town of Little Sioux, Iowa directly downstream of the Little Sioux River between river miles 668.3 – 666.7.

3 May 2013

Jamestown and Pipestem Reservoirs snowmelt update

Snowmelt inflow is occurring at Jamestown and Pipestem Reservoirs, and pool elevations have been increasing as expected. Large river flows continue upstream of the reservoirs and high inflows are expected to continue for the next few weeks. Combined releases from the reservoirs are currently expected to stay below 1200 cubic feet per second; significant additional rainfall or snow may necessitate higher release levels. Pipestem Reservoir is currently at pool elevation 1460.1 feet which results in 16.6 percent of the flood pool occupied. Jamestown Reservoir is currently at pool elevation 1431.8 feet which results in 1 percent of the flood pool occupied.