AHSAHKA, Idaho – Water discharge from Dworshak Dam near Orofino, Idaho, will temporarily increase starting Wednesday, Feb. 5, between 4 and 5 a.m., U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operations officials announced today.
Discharge flow from the dam will be increased from approximately 1,400 c.f.s. (cubic feet per second) to about 5,500 c.f.s. on Wednesday and will likely be sustained through Friday. This temporary change in flows will result in about a 2-foot increase in water depth in the Clearwater River near its North Fork confluence. The water will be run through the dam’s hydroelectric generators to provide greater power-grid stability during the current cold temperatures experienced throughout the region.
Corps officials advise boaters and other people using waterways both in Dworshak Reservoir and below the dam on the Clearwater River to be alert to changes in water elevation and volume of flow. Current water-management conditions can be viewed on the District website at www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/nww/rreports.htm -- click on “Hourly” and look in the “TOTAL” column under the “OUTFLOW” heading on the reservoir report. Reservoir elevation is found in the “FOREBAY” column under the “EL AT POWERHOUSE” heading.
During fiscal year 2012, 1.98 billion kW hours of electrical power were produced by Dworshak Dam’s three generating units. Since Dworshak Dam became operational in June 1972, it has prevented about $2.8 million in potential local flood damages.
For more information, please call the Public Affairs Office at 509-527-7020.
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Release no. 14-004