AHSAHKA, Idaho – 12/1/2023
Dworshak Dam will be increasing releases starting Dec. 4 to accommodate testing required for turbine maintenance. The public can expect the Clearwater River below the dam to change several feet between December 4 and 9. River users should use caution.
Releases will increase from 1,700 to 3,700 cubic feet per second during the evening of Dec. 4. Releases will further increase to 4,800 cfs on the evening of Dec. 5. The flow increases during these two days are intended to minimize river changes downstream of the dam during testing.
The window for testing is Dec. 6 and 7. During this window, releases from Dworshak may fluctuate between 2,400 and 7,000 cfs. Flows may fluctuate for several hours between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
After testing is completed, flows will gradually decrease. Releases from Dworshak will return to 1,700 cfs by the evening of Dec. 9, and are likely to remain there for the rest of December.
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 testing.
The current operation will result in total dissolved gas (TDG) remaining below 110%. The Corps 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 total dissolved gas (TDG) below the Idaho State maximum threshold of 110%, when possible.
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 Northwestern Division Project Data website at https://pweb.crohms.org/report/projdata.htm.
