HEYBURN, Idaho - The Bureau of Reclamation is increasing flows in the upper Snake River below Jackson Lake and Palisades dams because of continued warmer than normal temperatures that have resulted in increased spring runoff from snowmelt.
Beginning today at Jackson Lake Dam, increases of 500 cubic feet per second (cfs) per hour will commence around 1 pm to increase current discharges by 4,000 cfs by the end of the day. The projected total outflow from Jackson Lake Dam will be approximately 6,400 cfs by late tonight. Palisades Dam began increasing releases yesterday by an additional 3,000 cfs to the river, and another 3,000 cfs will be released today. Saturday, June 3, an additional 3,000 cfs will be discharged to total approximately 18,000 cfs below Palisades Dam. These increases are necessary due to rapidly changing weather and runoff conditions.
Jackson Lake is approximately 81 percent of capacity, and Palisades Reservoir is approximately 55 percent of capacity. Further increases could be necessary over the next few weeks during this active snowmelt period and as weather conditions change.
A flow rate of approximately 25,000 cfs (10.0 feet in river stage) is considered flood-stage level at the Snake River near Jackson (swinging bridge) stream gauge on the Snake River below Jackson Hole. At this time, flooding below Jackson Lake Dam is not expected but could occur as potential increases in unregulated tributary inflow below the dam could increase flows on the Snake River.
Residents of flood-prone areas in and near Teton County, Wyoming, are encouraged to keep informed of changing river, stream, and weather conditions on the National Weather Service, Riverton, Wyoming, Office website at http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/riw/. The site offers flow data, weather forecasts, and flood alerts.
Current river and reservoir data are available at http://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/uppersnake/.
These dams, which are operated by Reclamation’s Upper Snake Field Office, are located on the Snake River in western Wyoming and eastern Idaho.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
