JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Since mid-September, both Pipestem and Jamestown Reservoirs have experienced a high volume of water entering the system from multiple precipitation events occurring in the upper drainage basins of both river systems.

“Because of this, the Corps of Engineers has slowly been ramping up releases from both dams,” Stutsman County Emergency Manager Jerry Bergquist states.

As of Monday, Jamestown Dam is releasing 1000 cubic feet per second (cfs) and Pipestem Dam is releasing 800 cfs for a combined flow of 1800 cfs.

“Because of the high releases, and with the possibility of even higher releases, Mayor Dwaine Heinrich issued an Emergency Declaration today at a special City Council meeting,” Bergquist says.

A Public Information Meeting has been scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Wednesday October 16 in the lower level meeting room at Jamestown City Hall.

The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the high volume of water coming into both Pipestem and Jamestown Reservoirs and the need to release it before freeze-up.

Organizations that will be represented at the meeting include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Weather Service, City of Jamestown and Stutsman County Emergency Management.

The public is invited to attend.