AHSAHKA, Idaho – Water discharge from Dworshak Dam near Orofino, Idaho, will temporarily fluctuate on Thursday, Nov. 6, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. while U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff run tests on hydroelectric generator Number 2, which recently underwent maintenance, operations officials at the dam announced today.
Discharge flow from the dam will be increased from approximately 1,700 c.f.s. (cubic feet per second) to about 2,300 c.f.s. during the testing period, which is planned to last no longer than three hours. This temporary change in flows will likely result in about a one-half-foot increase in water depth in the Clearwater River.
Corps officials advise boaters, anglers 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 2013, 1.84 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.
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Release no. 14-083