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