Posted on June 13, 2022
Ahsahka, Idaho —AHSAHKA, Idaho – Dworshak Dam is currently releasing approximately 20,200 cubic feet per second (cfs) and will be increasing outflow to 25,000 cfs over the afternoon of Sunday June 12, 2022.
Currently the project’s forebay elevation is 1,595 ft with 5 ft remaining prior to the project being full at 1,600 ft. Dworshak is still expected to reach full pool by June 20, but to due to high inflow and the remaining snowpack, outflow will be increased to safely refill the reservoir. Operations at Dworshak will change the height of the Clearwater River downstream of the dam by less than a foot, gradually, across a one-day period.
The current operation will result in total dissolved gas (TDG) being above 110%. With this flood control operation, the Corps will be continuously evaluating the basin conditions to determine the soonest, but safest, possible time to reduce the outflow to minimize the higher TDG. Currently it is expected that the higher outflows of 25,000 cfs will only last for 4-5 days before outflows will start gradually reducing. We will continue to work with regional water managers, other agencies, tribes, and fish managers and hatcheries in joint efforts to meet reservoir objectives and keep TDG below the Idaho State maximum threshold of 110%, when possible.
The rate of change in downstream river stage limit of one foot per hour, as measured at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Clearwater River Near Peck, ID (gage #13341050), will not be violated due to project operations.
For safety, the public is advised to be aware of the danger associated with fluctuating river flows and elevations. The river at this time of year is deep, cold and fast, so extreme caution should be used near riverbanks. Boaters, anglers and other people using waterways both in Dworshak Reservoir and below the dam on the Clearwater River are advised to be alert to changes in water elevation and volume of flow. Current Dworshak water-management conditions can be viewed on the Walla Walla District website at https://www.nwd.usace.army.mil/CRWM/Water-Control-Data/Project-Data/.
