Water rises in 3 Missouri River reservoirs
Posted: Thursday, August 07, 2008
OMAHA -- Water levels of the three biggest Missouri River reservoirs have risen from nearly 11 feet to almost 18 feet since April 1 due to the combination of a normal mountain snowpack, rain over much of the upper basin and flood-producing rain in the lower basin.
Runoff for 2008 is forecast to total 26.3million acre feet, an increase of 1.3 MAF from last month’s forecast. The storage in the reservoirs increased nearly 2 MAF in July, ending at 45.8 MAF.
Because reservoir storage remains lower than normal, only minimum service flows are being provided this year for navigation and other downstream uses. Based on the storage July 1, the commercial navigation season will be shortened by 30 days. The last day of navigation flow support will be Oct. 31 at the mouth of the river; just north of St. Louis. The normal navigation season ends Dec.1.
Gavins Point releases in August are expected to average 20,000 cfs, compared to the average 34,900 cfs. Fort Randall releases averaged 15,600 cfs in July. They will be adjusted in August as necessary to maintain Gavins Point reservoir near its desired elevation.
Oahe reservoir rose 1.4 feet in July and 10.8 feet since April 1, ending at elevation 1,594 feet msl. Releases in August will average 9,800 cfs, compared to the long-term average of 32,700 cfs. The reservoir is nearly 13 feet higher than it was last year at this time.
The six main stem power plants generated a record low 446 million kilowatt hours of electricity in July, only 46 percent of normal because of lower pool levels and reduced releases from the dams.
Runoff for 2008 is forecast to total 26.3million acre feet, an increase of 1.3 MAF from last month’s forecast. The storage in the reservoirs increased nearly 2 MAF in July, ending at 45.8 MAF.
Because reservoir storage remains lower than normal, only minimum service flows are being provided this year for navigation and other downstream uses. Based on the storage July 1, the commercial navigation season will be shortened by 30 days. The last day of navigation flow support will be Oct. 31 at the mouth of the river; just north of St. Louis. The normal navigation season ends Dec.1.
Gavins Point releases in August are expected to average 20,000 cfs, compared to the average 34,900 cfs. Fort Randall releases averaged 15,600 cfs in July. They will be adjusted in August as necessary to maintain Gavins Point reservoir near its desired elevation.
Oahe reservoir rose 1.4 feet in July and 10.8 feet since April 1, ending at elevation 1,594 feet msl. Releases in August will average 9,800 cfs, compared to the long-term average of 32,700 cfs. The reservoir is nearly 13 feet higher than it was last year at this time.
The six main stem power plants generated a record low 446 million kilowatt hours of electricity in July, only 46 percent of normal because of lower pool levels and reduced releases from the dams.
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