MILLS, Wyoming - Beginning in October of this year, the Wyoming Area Office of the Bureau of Reclamation began lowering Alcova Reservoir to an elevation of 5459 feet, 29 feet below the normal winter operating elevation of 5488 feet. The reservoir was lowered to help facilitate repair of the Alcova Spillway. Repair efforts have been going as planned and the reservoir can safely be raised to its normal winter level of 5488 feet.
Refilling of Alcova Reservoir is planned to begin between December 15 and 20, and will take approximately two weeks to fill to the normal winter operating elevation. Alcova Reservoir will be filled using water from Seminoe and Pathfinder Reservoirs. This will result in temporary higher-than-normal releases through the Miracle Mile (~1200 cubic feet per second (cfs); normal winter release is ~530 cfs) and from Pathfinder Dam (~2300 cfs; normal winter release is ~75 cfs directly below Pathfinder Dam). Minor declines in reservoir levels in Seminoe and Pathfinder Reservoirs will also occur. By January 6, 2021, Alcova Reservoir will be restored to its normal winter operating range.
Recreators should be aware that changes in river flows and reservoir elevations may occur quickly and caution should be used at all times.
Alcova Dam is about 37 miles downstream from Seminoe Dam and 10 miles downstream from Pathfinder Dam on the North Platte River. More information on Alcova Dam can be found at www.usbr.gov/projects/index.php?id=21.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
