AHSAHKA, Idaho – Reservoir managers will decrease Dworshak Dam releases on Friday evening, Jan. 29, to 1,700 cubic feet per second (cfs). This flow is expected to remain constant until Feb. 8. Flows may vary daily from Feb. 8 to Feb. 15 in the range of 1,700 to 7,000 cfs.
Water is being released during this timeframe to manage reservoir refill and provide flood control. When daily fluctuations occur, flows will peak once a day and will typically be higher in the day and lower at night. Snowpack and weather in the region have an impact on flood risk. Currently, Dworshak has ample space in its reservoir for flood-risk-management operations. Additional decreases or increases may be necessary as rainfall and snow-melt conditions change in the second half of February.
The Corps works with regional water managers, other agencies and tribes, and fish managers and hatcheries in joint efforts to keep total dissolved gasses below the Idaho State maximum threshold, when possible.
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 up or down 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/.
Release no. 21-002