SEATTLE DISTRICT

Libby Dam Project is a multi-purpose water resource development.  Its purposes are flood reduction, hydropower, recreation, and environmental stewardship. We recognize that our day to day activities in operating a facility such as Libby Dam have a direct impact on the environment. Our goal is to operate Libby Dam to minimize negative impacts on the environment through pollution prevention and mitigation, and we are committed to continual improvement.  Our commitment is to comply with environmental legislation, rules, and regulations. We encourage environmental stewardship at every level throughout the organization.

May 13, 2013

Current Koocanusa Reservoir elevation is 2408.5 feet (full is 2459 feet)

Current Koocanusa Reservoir inflow is approximately 52,000 cubic feet per second.

Current Libby Dam outflow is 25,700 cfs.

Current Bonners Ferry River Elevation is 1,762.3 feet.

Libby Dam outflow will decrease from 26,000 cfs to 21,000 cfs over two hours beginning at 7 p.m. MDT, today.  There is moderate to occasionally heavy rainfall forecast in the lower Kootenai basin over the next 24 hours and the intent of this flow decrease is to guard against exceeding flood stage downstream of Libby Dam at Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

The current high outflows from Libby Dam are part of a reservoir operation designed to augment spring and summer flows for Kootenai River sturgeon.  We will continue to adjust Libby Dam outflow to keep the Kootenai River below flood stage at Bonners Ferry.  Once the potential for heavy precipitation has decreased, flow will be increased back up to approximately 26,000 cfs, possibly as early as midday tomorrow.

The April-August inflow volume forecast is 6,535 KAF, which is 111 percent of the 1980-2009 average. Refill at Libby dam began 1 May.

The Northwest River Forecast Center creates daily forecasts for short term projections throughout the Kootenai and Columbia River Basins.  These forecasts can be updated multiple times in a day and can be updated at anytime as conditions change.  Links to those projections can be found below:

Short term forecasts for Libby Dam elevations and inflows can be found here:

http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?lid=LYDM8

 

Short term forecasts for Libby Dam releases can be found here:

http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?lid=KBDM8

 

Short term forecasts for Bonners Ferry can be found here:

http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?lid=BFEI1

 

Please note the National Weather Service's disclaimer on forecasts after 3 days.  All forecasts and model projections are based on the best information at the current time, as the weather changes so will the short and long-term predictions.

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