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Dworshak Dam Increases Discharge to Cool River Temperatures by Staff Big Country News, July 6, 2022

AHSAHKA, ID -- On Friday, July 8, Dworshak Dam will increase releases from 7,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 9,500 cfs by Saturday evening. According to the Walla Walla District Corps of Engineers, the increase is to support flow augmentation intended to keep the tailwater of Lower Granite Lock and Dam at or below 68 degrees.

The river will rise approximately 6 inches during the flow changes each evening.

According to officials, currently, Lower Granite's tailwater is approximately 63 degrees. The natural river temperatures in the Clearwater River at Orofino and in the Snake River at Anatone are approximately 62 degrees and 65 degrees respectively. With temperatures in the region being forecast to hit high 90s in the next 10 days and possibly nearing low 100s, the natural river temperatures will begin increase.

These releases of cooling water from Dworshak are necessary to help offset the natural river temperatures and to minimize impacts as flow augmentation begins.

Forebay elevations in Dworshak Reservoir will change due to the increased releases needed for flow augmentation. The reservoir elevation as of July 6, is approximately 1,599.75 feet. The reservoir elevation will begin a steady decrease Friday night leading to a tentative elevation near 1,590 feet between July 20 and July 24.

Related Pages:
Dworshak Reservoir Starts Water Release Early by Staff, Lewiston Tribune, 6/24/21
Cold Water Released from North Idaho Dam to Help Salmon by Associated Press, The Olympian, 6/25/21
Dworshak Flows Increase; Clearwater Level Expected to Rise by Staff, Lewiston Tribune, 5/23/19
Agency Plans to Cut Dworshak Reservoir Water Flows Today by Staff, Lewiston Tribune, 4/6/19
Clearwater River Level to Drop a Foot Below Dworshak; Dam Outflows Reduced for Juvenile Fish by Staff, Daily Fly, 7/19/18
Corps Reduces Dworshak Flows for Fish by Eric Barker, Lewiston Tribune, 3/27/18
Dworshak Dam Tests May Cause River Flow Changes by Staff, Lewiston Tribune, 6/28/18
Rehab of Dworshak's Unit 3 Has its Share of Hiccups by Elizabeth Morgan, Clearwater Tribune, 8/16/17
Dworshak Dam Discharge Flows Lowered to Reduce Flooding Impacts Downstream by Mia Carlson, Daily Fly, 3/20/17
Dworshak Reservoir Filling Up Early by Associated Press, KTVB, 4/26/15