OMAHA – Releases from Jamestown Dam were decreased by 200 cfs to 1,800 cfs at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday (Apr 22nd) when City of Jamestown crews discovered unexpectedly high river stages along the upper James River. Releases from Pipestem were increased at 10 a.m. Thursday from 1,000 cfs to 1,200 cfs for a combined release of 3,000 cfs.

With inflows slowing into Jamestown, the start of spillway flows are now expected to begin Monday, Apr. 26. The reservoir level is currently 0.5 feet below the spillway crest and there has been some water splashing over the crest due to high winds and wave action. The reservoir is forecast to peak between 1454 feet and 1455 feet on May 2.

For the next several days, releases from Jamestown Dam are expected to be held at 1,800 cfs. Releases from Pipestem Dam will be gradually increased to approximately 1400 cfs, if downstream conditions permit.

Though not in the current forecasts from the National Weather Service, heavy rain of 1.5” to 2” could provide enough runoff to result in higher spillway flows. While higher spillway flows are not expected, high releases from the dam will continue to reduce the likelihood of this happening.

The river at the Jamestown gage near the I-94 bridge and downstream, will continue to rise as the combined releases are increased toward the target level of approximately 4,000 cfs.

Around-the-clock surveillance of the levees is being conducted by teams of National Guard Soldiers and Corps experts walking the levees to check for any seepage or damage. The Guard has two rapid response teams that can respond with sandbags and equipment if necessary.

Continuous surveillance at the dams confirms that they remain safe. Dam safety experts from the Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation are reading monitoring instruments and measuring relief wells around the clock and express confidence that the dams are performing well.






Daily Information Update

Pipestem Reservoir :
• Current reservoir level – 1,492.1 feet (No change/ 24 hours)
• Spillway flows – None expected
• Current Reservoir Inflow – 1,186 cfs
• Current Reservoir Release – 1200 cfs

Jamestown Reservoir:
• Current reservoir level – 1,453.1 feet (+0.1 ft/ 24 hours)
• Forecast reservoir level – 1,455 feet
• Spillway flows – April 26 to May 25
• Current Reservoir Inflow – 4,545 cfs
• Current Reservoir Release – 1,800 cfs

Stream gage on James River (Upstream of I-94 Bridge):
• Current flow rate – 2,950 cfs
• Current river stage – 14 feet
Forecast stage – 15 feet
• Flood stage – 12 feet
• Daily stage change – 1 foot

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