Corps Of Engineers: Prepare For 1,800 CFS Combined Releases
Jamestown, Pipestem Dams, Spring 2010 - Now Showing on CSi 58 KCSi-T.V. News
Thursday’s Jamestown meeting is now showing on CSi Channel 58, THE REPLAY CHANNEL XTRA.
Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers met with Jamestown and Stutsman County officials, Thursday, to start discussions and planning based on the present flood outlook for this spring. MORE TEXT STORY BELOW VIDEO. . .
Tim Temeyer with the Corps, in Omaha said present conditions are similar to 1997, in terms of current snowpack in the James River basin, and local officials should, “make preparations for an 1,800 cfs combined release for Jamestown and Pipestem Dams.”
Right now, the Corps estimates a combined release of 1,800 cfs from Jamestown and Pipestem Resevoirs, as occurred in 1997, 1,200 cfs from Jamestown Dam, and 600 cfs from Pipestem Dam.
Temeyer pointed out, it is possible for the reservoir levels to be higher than 1997 levels and still maintain a combined release of 1,800 cfs. He added a large amount of snowpack downstream of Jamestown may influence the release rate from the two dams, and possibly delay the start of increased releases.
In 2009 the peak combined releases from Jamestown and Pipestem Dams was 3,200 cfs.
Water releases from the dams will be determined by the James River water level gauge at LaMoure, when it peaks. The winter release at Jamestown Dam has been 25-cfs. He pointed out that releasing a large amount of water from the two dams over the winter is not advisable, as it can aggravate ice jams downstream. Plus the inflows to Jamestown Dam are lower than a year ago. Depending on the inflow rate, if the reservoirs levels were at zero, it would be a matter of hours before the levels would return to the present amount of water. The Corps Bob Martin said presently Pipestem Reservoir is holding 9,000 acre feet of water, compared to 18,000 acre feet of water in April of 2009.
Figures may change upward, or downward based on addition factors that occur between now and this spring, including additional moisture from snow and rain events, and the rate of thaw, and the amount of frost in the ground, affecting runoff.
Temeyer said another James River basin snow survey will be conducted the last week in February, concerning the snow to water ratio. As of now the water equivalent in the snow pack is 3.5 to 4.5 inches, compared to 5.4 inches in April of 2009. An updated forecast is expected to be released in early March.
He pointed out agency conference calls will start next week, to keep agencies updated.
Stutsman County Emergency Manager Jerry Bergquist pointed out that with an anticipated combined release of 1,800 cfs, there needs to be adequate time for local officials to apply for, and received “advanced measures,” to prepare for any mitigation actions.
Temeyer said, the Corps will be releasing updated information to the media, as needed.
Thursday’s Jamestown meeting is now showing on CSi Channel 58, THE REPLAY CHANNEL XTRA.
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