BOISE, Idaho -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation will continue to increase Boise River flows through the City of Boise on April 20. These releases will help reduce the risk of flooding during periods of high snow runoff anticipated later this spring. Officials encourage the public to be aware of risks associated with increased Boise River flows. The water is deep, cold and fast. Individuals should use extreme caution near the riverbanks.
Water managers will target approximately 5,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) by the end of the day on Thursday, April 20. Depending on weather conditions, flows could increase to 6,000 cfs as early as Monday April 24 and may increase to 6,500 cfs in the coming weeks.
The public should be aware that river flows may frequently change during the snow-melt season. Flows are beginning to inundate lower sections of the Boise River Greenbelt, including underpasses. A flow rate of 7,000 cfs, or about 10 feet in water depth as measured at the Glenwood Bridge USGS gauge, is considered minor flood-stage level on the Boise River according to the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service: https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/inundation/index.php?gage=bigi1.
Water management operations through the city also could fluctuate depending on water diversions for irrigation through the New York Canal as determined by Idaho Water District Number 63. The public should exercise increased caution and vigilance around the New York Canal and other water conveyance facilities.
Flow information on the Glenwood Bridge gauge can be followed at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/13206000/#parameterCode=00060&period=P7D.
Currently, the Boise River reservoirs are at 62% of capacity. A full supply of irrigation water is anticipated this irrigation season.
For real-time Boise River flows at Corps and Reclamation facilities, visit https://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/rtindex/boise.html.
Release no. 23-031