JAMESTOWN, N.D. (USACE) – To minimize the risk of ice-related flooding along the James River, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation will make an effort to keep downstream stages stable by holding releases at a constant rate.

As a result, elevations will be drawn down into the conservation zones at both Jamestown and Pipestem Dams.

Minimal impacts to other project purposes are expected, both due to the timing of this draw down and because of the volume of water currently frozen in the basin above the reservoirs. Releases are expected to be held constant until stages begin to rise between Jamestown and LaMoure, North Dakota from local flows.

Pipestem Dam is at an elevation of 1442.8 ft, 0.3 ft into its flood pool. Jamestown Dam is at an elevation of 1430.1 ft, 0.3 ft above its target elevation of 1429.8 ft. Both reservoirs are expected to be at or below their target elevations by March 1. Pipestem Dam is owned and operated by the Corps of Engineers, and Jamestown Dam is owned and operated by the Bureau of Reclamation. Releases are set by the Corps of Engineers for Jamestown Dam when the project is in its exclusive flood control pool (elevations 1431-1454 ft).

Current releases are 500 cubic feet per second from Jamestown Dam, and 100 cfs from Pipestem Dam, for combined releases of 600 cfs. The low-level gate at Pipestem has been opened to allow for constant releases.

The Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation are coordinating with relevant agencies in North and South Dakota.