22-023 Dworshak Dam Adjusting Flow for Second Half of the Month

Walla Walla District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Published April 14, 2022
Dworshak Dam

Dworshak Dam

AHSAHKA, Idaho –Dworshak Dam is currently discharging 9,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) to support local hatchery releases. Discharges will remain steady for the duration of next week before increasing to 14,500 cfs on the morning of the April 21 for regulating outlet functional test. The evening of April 21 the project will gradually start decreasing flows over the following days down to 4,700 cfs to continue filling.

Operations to increase discharge to 14,500 cfs at Dworshak during the morning hours of April 21 are expected to result in the Clearwater River near Peck increasing approximately 2.5 feet throughout the morning. The rate of change in downstream river stage limit of one foot per hour, as measured at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Clearwater River Near Peck, ID (gage #13341050), will not be violated due to project operations. Decreasing flows will be gradual over the following several days and simultaneously occur with rises in the natural run off in the Clearwater basin, resulting in minimal change in the Clearwater River near Peck.

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/.


Contact
Public Affairs Office
509-527-7020
cenww-pa@usace.army.mil

Release no. 22-023