JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Updated forecasts have indicated the river downstream of Jamestown and Pipestem Dams could see ice formation by the end of next week.
To mitigate the risk of freeze-up ice jams or other ice-related flooding, the target combined release rate before ice sets in is 800 cubic feet per second.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Omaha District will be stepping down releases 200 cfs per day with the target combined release rate of 800 cfs achieved Nov. 14th.
The table below details the current release schedule:
|
|
Jamestown Dam Releases (cfs) |
Pipestem Dam Releases (cfs) |
Total Combined Release (cfs) |
| Thursday Nov. 7 |
1,100 |
1,100 |
2,200 |
| Friday Nov. 8 |
1,000 |
1,000 |
2,000 |
| Saturday Nov. 9 |
900 |
900 |
1,800 |
| Sunday Nov. 10 |
800 |
800 |
1,600 |
| Sunday Nov. 11 |
700 |
700 |
1,400 |
| Monday Nov. 12 |
600 |
600 |
1,200 |
| Tuesday Nov. 13 |
500 |
500 |
1,000 |
| Wednesday Nov. 14 |
400 |
400 |
800 |
River ice forecasts will be continuously updated during this time. If conditions change and the forecast ice-in date shifts, combined releases will be held at 1,400 cfs until three days before the new ice-in date.
Updated reservoir forecasts indicate combined winter releases are not expected to exceed 850 cfs; however, additional precipitation, earlier than expected ice formation on the river, or higher than expected baseflow, could necessitate higher release levels. Ice conditions in the entire James River basin will be continually evaluated throughout the winter.
The District will operate to minimize the risk of ice-related flooding, and adjustments to the releases will be made as needed.