AHSAHKA, ID – Water flows from Dworshak Dam will begin increasing Thursday evening, raising the level of the Clearwater River by around a foot. The dam is currently releasing 5,100 cubic feet per second but will be in the approximate range of 7,000 cfs. On Sunday evening, flows will increase again for a two-day period to between 9,000 and 10,000 cfs, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Operations to increase releases at Dworshak to 10,000 cfs will occur simultaneously with decreasing natural flows and are expected to result in the Clearwater River near Peck rising by approximately one foot.
The project is being operated to manage late-season runoff, while still providing appropriate flood risk management. The end-of-month target elevation for the reservoir is available on the Northwestern Division’s website: https://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/report/colsum/. As runoff occurs, the reservoir will begin to refill, but due to cold temperatures and low-lying snow refill may be delayed to ensure the reservoir is refilled safely.
The current operation will result in total dissolved gas remaining below 110%. USACE will continue to work with regional water managers, other agencies, tribes, fish managers, and hatcheries in joint efforts to meet reservoir objectives and keep total dissolved gas below the Idaho State maximum threshold of 110%, when possible.
The rate of change in the downstream river stage limit of one foot per hour, as measured at the United States Geological Survey Clearwater River Near Peck, ID (gage #13341050), will not be violated due to project operations.
For safety, the public is advised to be aware of the danger associated with fluctuating river flows and elevations. The river at this time of year is deep, cold, and fast, so extreme caution should be used near riverbanks. Boaters, anglers, and other people using waterways both in Dworshak Reservoir and below the dam on the Clearwater River are advised to be alert to changes in water elevation and volume of flow. Current Dworshak water-management conditions can be viewed on the Walla Walla District website at https://www.nwd.usace.army.mil/CRWM/Water-Control-Data/Project-Data/.
