Releases at Gavins Point Dam to be reduced for winter
OMAHA, Neb. (KCAU) — Gavins Point Dam in Yankton, S.D. will have its releases reduced as winter approaches.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said that the releases are being reduced as the flow support season for further downstream will end Dec. 1 at the mouth of the Missouri River.
"We will continue to make releases from Gavins Point Dam to provide flow support at a level 500 cfs (cubic feet per second) less than full service, through the end of the navigation flow support season," said John Remus, chief of the USACE, Missouri River Water Management Division.
The winter release rate for Gavins Point Dam is 12,000 cfs, which the Corps expects to start around Nov. 22. Current releases are 32,000 cfs. To achieve the goal, releases are being reduced 3,000 cfs every day until it hits 15,000 cfs. The release will then be reduced to 1,000 cfs every five days until the rate of 12000 cfs is reached. Releases at the Fort Randall Dam will follow the same release reduction but about one day before the Gavins Point reductions.
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"Based on the Sept. 1 Mainstem Reservoir System storage check, releases from Gavins Point Dam for the 2024-2025 winter will be at the minimum rate of 12,000 cfs," said Remus. "Intake operators in the lower river should be taking measures to assure they can maintain access to the water."
Remus added that they may temporarily increase releases to provide more water if extreme cold temperatures cause ice formation and lower water stages.
Runoff into the Missouri River was 0.5 million-acre-feet in October, only 43% the average. Runoff was below average in every reach of the upper basin of the river except Sioux City, which was slightly above average, the release said. The yearly runoff forecast Through Nov. 1 for the upper basin is 10% below average, sitting at 23 MAF.
The Corps said that more than 95% of the Missouri River Basin is under abnormally dry or drought conditions based on the Drought Monitor. The upper basin is expected to continue to see drought conditions over the next month while the lower basin will likely see improvements.
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All six power plants generated 794 million kWh of electricity in October when they would normally generate 813 million kWh. For the year, power plants are projected to generate 8.2 billion kWh of electricity this year, compared to the long-term average of 9.4 billion kWh.
