Libby Dam to increase flows to 20,000 cfs

Libby Montana News Archive

LibbyMt.com > News > May 2007 > Libby Dam to increase flows to 20,000 cfs

Libby Dam (file photo).

Libby Dam to increase flows to 20,000 cfs
Then will increase to 25,000 on Tuesday, May 22
May 17, 2007
Libby Dam will increase Kootenai River flows from 14,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 20,000 cfs beginning at 6:00 am MDT Friday, May 18th, for sturgeon recovery flow augmentation, according to Greg Hoffman, Corps of Engineers Fishery Biologist. Outflow will be increased over a three-hour period, and will remain at 20,000 cfs for four days. Outflow will again be increased to full flow of approximately 25,000 cfs on Tuesday morning, May 21st, and will remain at full flow for another 14 days.

Kootenai River temperature management at Libby Dam began by placement of selective withdrawal gates over the course of the past two weeks in order to optimize river temperatures for spawning sturgeon and for resident fish in the Kootenai River, and will continue throughout the current operation and through the summer months. The beginning of this year's augmentation operation has been determined, and is guided by, water temperature conditions in Lake Koocanusa and temperature criteria for sturgeon in the Bonners Ferry reach and for resident fish in the Kootenai River below Libby Dam.

Biologists and water managers will determine lower flow levels after the 14 day full powerhouse operation as the sturgeon water allotment is expended from the lake. Consideration will include temperature management, inflow forecast and reservoir elevation, sturgeon spawning response to the operation, sturgeon conservation aquaculture program needs, and future salmon augmentation operations, as well as flood control and power considerations.

Story courtesy KLCB 1230AM Libby News Radio, www.todaysbestcountryonline.com

Related Links:
Libby Dam web site US Army Corps of Engineers

LibbyMt.com > News > May 2007 > Libby Dam to increase flows to 20,000 cfs

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