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Libby Dam

17877 Highway 37

Libby, Montana 59923-7828

Libby Dam Office (406) 293-7751 

Kootenai River Levels Recording (406) 293-3421

For Visitor Information contact the Visitor Center (406) 293-5577

 

 

Libby Dam

Libby Dam Project is a multi-purpose water resource development. Its purposes are flood reduction, hydropower, recreation, and environmental stewardship.

We recognize our day-to-day activities, in operating a facility like 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 and to comply with environmental legislation, rules, and  regulations.

We encourage environmental stewardship at every level throughout the organization.

Flow Update

February 23, 2023

Current conditions:

Koocanusa Reservoir elevation: 2406.88 feet
Koocanusa Reservoir inflow: ~1.3 kcfs
Libby Dam outflow: 4.0 kcfs
Kootenai River elevation at Bonners Ferry: 1744.69 feet
 
Current changes and highlights:

The following outflow changes are scheduled for Thursday, 23 February:
-Outflows will increase from 4.0 kcfs to 5.0 kcfs at 1500 MDT

The following outflow changes are scheduled for Friday, 24 February:
-Outflows will increase from 5.0 kcfs to 6.5 kcfs at 0000 MDT

No outflow changes are scheduled for Saturday, 25 February

The following outflow changes are scheduled for Sunday, 26 February:
-Outflows will decrease from 6.5 kcfs to 5.5 kcfs in a series of two hourly changes beginning at 1400 MDT

The following outflow changes are scheduled for Monday, 27 February:
-Outflows will decrease from 5.5 kcfs to 4.5 kcfs in a series of two hourly changes beginning at 0000 MDT

The following outflow changes are scheduled for Tuesday, 28 February:
-Outflows will decrease from 4.5 kcfs to 4.0 kcfs at 0000 MDT

Libby outflows will increased on Thursday, 23 February to prevent ice blockage at the fish hatchery intake during a period of severe cold weather and low flows. The reservoir elevation is currently below the end of February reservoir elevation target of 2419.6 ft, so no drawdown is required to meet the end of February target, and flows will return to 4.0 kcfs after the severe cold weather. The end of March reservoir elevation target will be determined by the Libby March water supply forecast, to be issued in early March. Outflows in March will remain at 4.0 kcfs until further notice.

Short term forecasts for Libby Dam elevations and inflow:
http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?lid=LYDM8
 
Short term forecasts for Libby Dam outflow:
http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?lid=KBDM8
 
Additionally, projected inflows and reservoir operations at Libby Dam through the fall can be found here:
https://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/nws/hh/www/kot_esp.html