MILLS, Wyo. -- The Wyoming Area Office of the Bureau of Reclamation in Mills, Wyo., will be lowering the water level in Guernsey Reservoir in preparation for the annual silt run according to Lyle Myler, Wyoming Deputy Area Manager. "The silt run is an operation which provides silt-laden water to Goshen, Gering-Fort Laramie, and Pathfinder Irrigation Districts under contract with Reclamation," Myler said.
On the afternoon of July 5, the release of water from Glendo Reservoir will be decreased from about 2,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) to a flow of approximately 1,000 cfs. The decreased flow will cause a rapid decline of the Guernsey Reservoir level of approximately 25 feet starting the night of July 5 through July 13. By Sunday, July 12, the boat ramps at Guernsey Reservoir will no longer be useable due to the low reservoir level. Water being released from Glendo Reservoir will flow through Guernsey Reservoir flushing silt from Guernsey Reservoir into the canals of downstream irrigators. The silt run will begin on July 14 and is anticipated to continue through July 28. Beginning on July 28, the release of water from Glendo Reservoir will be rapidly increased to refill Guernsey Reservoir. The level of Guernsey Reservoir is expected to be suitable for recreation again by the evening of July 31.
Boaters, recreationists, and irrigators should take proper precautions regarding changing river flows below Glendo and Guernsey Reservoirs and the rapid lowering and refilling of Guernsey Reservoir.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
