Releases on Missouri River moving to winter minimum from Gavins Point Dam near Yankton, South Dakota
12/7/2022 1:17:56 PM
CATEGORIES:
Relief, Response & Restrictions
Water Supply & Quality
AFFECTED AREAS:
Iowa
Kansas
Missouri
Montana
North Dakota
Nebraska
Cedar County, NE
Knox County, NE
South Dakota
Yankton County, SD
Start Date: 12/7/2022
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Releases from Gavins Point Dam near Yankton, South Dakota, were at 13,000 cubic feet per second and will be reduced to the minimum winter rate of 12,000 cfs by Dec. 11, per the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Months of dry weather across the upper plains have led to reduced runoff into the river and its six reservoirs, which were lower than normal for this time of year.
Water storage in the reservoir system was 46 million acre-feet, considerably below the flood control zone that begins at 56.1 MAF, which is the annual year-end target level. November runoff into the river basin above Sioux City was 540,000 acre-feet, or 51% of average, lowering the 2022 runoff forecast to 19.0 MAF, 74% of the average of 25.7 MAF.
Water conservation measures in effect will continue into 2023, according to the corps, and water releases in the spring likely will be increased to provide only minimal support to navigation farther downstream.
Sioux City Journal (Iowa), Dec 7, 2022
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