MILLS, Wyoming - The Wyoming Area Office of the Bureau of Reclamation urges the public to avoid steep shoreline areas at Alcova Reservoir through the end of the calendar year because of dangerous unstable bank conditions which have occurred as a result of lowering the reservoir well below the normal winter operating level.
Alcova Reservoir is being temporarily lowered to elevation 5459 feet which is 29 feet below the normal winter operating elevation of 5488 feet to accommodate essential repairs to Alcova spillway. During the month of October, Alcova Reservoir is being lowered at an average rate of about 15 inches per day. In a normal year, the reservoir is lowered about 5 inches per day for a total of 10 feet.
The rapid decline of the reservoir’s water level has resulted in bank slumping in some locations. Some of the wet, exposed soils are soft and sticky and may be impassable. The public is urged to stay well away from steep shoreline and newly exposed reservoir bottom areas.
Reclamation plans to refill Alcova Reservoir to normal winter operating elevation during the last two weeks of December. The spillway and stilling basin work is scheduled to be completed by March 31, 2021.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
