AHSAHKA, Idaho –Dworshak Dam will be increasing releases from 6,900 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 7,800 cfs to support hatchery releases, which resume Monday, April 12.
Increases will occur during the evening of Sunday, April 11, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. This increase will occur simultaneously with lowering natural flows and is expected to result in the Clearwater River near Peck balancing at an approximately constant level on April 11. Releases will remain constant through Thursday, April 15 once they reach 7,800 cfs.
After April 15, when hatchery releases in the area downstream of Dworshak have concluded, discharges from the dam will again decrease. Discharge is expected to decrease to approximately 4,000 cfs through April 20 in order to conserve water. Further details regarding the decrease will be available in next week’s news release. The need to conserve water in the latter half of April is largely due to a falling water supply forecast. Reservoir releases will continue to be adjusted throughout the month of April to meet flood control targets and control refill.
The rate of change in downstream river stage will be limited to below one foot per hour as measured at the United States Geologic Survey (USGS) Clearwater River Near Peck, ID (gage #13341050).
The current operation will result in total dissolved gas (TDG) remaining below 110%. The Corps will continue to work with regional water managers, other agencies, tribes, and fish managers and hatcheries in joint efforts to meet reservoir objectives and keep total dissolved gas (TDG) below the Idaho State maximum threshold of 110%, 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 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. 21-019