JAMESTOWN, N.D. (newsDakota.com) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers increased the releases from Pipestem Dam today to 800 cubic feet per second after evaluating channel conditions through the city of Jamestown.

Additional precipitation continues to increase reservoir runoff forecasts. The Corps is planning to step up releases from Jamestown Dam from 600 cfs to a total of 1,000 cfs by Monday. Jamestown is making the necessary preparations for this increase and downstream channel capacity will continue to be closely monitored.

Pipestem Reservoir is currently at pool elevation 1460.6 feet, about 18 feet above the base of the flood control zone, and rising. The inflow is near 900 cfs. Jamestown Reservoir is currently at pool elevation 1434.1 feet, about 3 feet above the base of the flood control zone, and rising. The inflow is near 1,500 cfs.

Basin conditions will be continuously evaluated and adjustments to the releases will be made as needed. High river flows continue downstream of Jamestown into South Dakota on the James River, and conditions on the entire James River basin are considered in determining project releases. The target date for evacuation of flood control storage from Pipestem and Jamestown reservoirs is November 1.

The Corps of Engineers is coordinating with the Bureau of Reclamation and the City of Jamestown. Combined releases could increase if basin conditions warrant.