Corp News

OMAHA – The final 2008 Annual Operating Plan for the Missouri River will be released later this month. Though storage in the reservoirs is 2.8 million feet higher than a year ago, the plan continues to emphasize conservations efforts. 

“2007 was the eighth consecutive year of drought for the Missouri River basin,” said Larry Cieslik, Chief of the Water Management office here. “While there has been some improvement in storage, the drought does not appear to be over, so we will continue to restrict releases from the reservoirs in 2008.” 

The AOP for next year anticipates releasing only enough water to provide minimum navigation flows for the entire season and shortening the season by 17 to 60 days. It was shortened by 35 days this year. The actual season length will be determined by the storage level on July 1, 2008. 

The reduced releases will result in a significant reduction in hydropower generation. Only 6.5 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity will be generated, rather the normal 10 billion kWh.
As usual, flows will be adjusted in the late spring and through most of the summer to protect the nests and chicks of the least tern and piping plover. Both birds are protected by the Endangered Species Act. Steady flows from the dams will be set when the birds begin to nest in mid-May and be held until they begin their annual migration south in mid-August. Flows then will be adjusted to meet minimum navigation targets. 

Studies show that with median or above runoff, there will be sufficient storage to conduct a spring pulse in March. The storage requirement is 36.5 MAF on March 1. Higher runoff could increase reservoir storage high enough to allow a spring pulse in May. The threshold is 40 MAF. 

The final AOP will be available on the Northwestern Division website: www.nwd-mr.usace.army.mil/rcc/aop.html. The draft plan was published in September and comments were accepted through November 16. 

The revised 2007 calendar-year runoff forecast is 21.3 MAF, 85 percent of normal. System storage peaked in early July at 40.3 MAF and declined to 37.2 MAF by the end of November, 2.8 MAF higher than it was at this time last year. 

Releases from Gavins Point Dam averaged 9,100 cubic feet per second (cfs) in November, compared with the long-term average of 31,800 cfs. They will be held near this rate through the end of the month, unless adjustments need to be made because of ice formation resulting from cold temperatures and high winds. 

Fort Randall releases averaged 7,900 cfs in November. They will be adjusted in December as necessary to maintain Gavins Point reservoir near its desired elevation.
Big Bend reservoir will remain in its normal range of 1420 to 1421 feet. Releases will be adjusted to meet hydropower needs. 

Oahe releases averaged 5,400 cfs in November, well below the long-term average of 23,200 cfs. Oahe reservoir remained at elevation 1582.3 during the month. This is 16.7 feet below its normal elevation, but nearly 9 feet higher than last year at this time. The reservoir is expected to remain near its current level in December, ending the month near 1582.4 feet. 

Garrison releases averaged 10,800 cfs during November, compared to the long-term average of 20,200 cfs. Garrison reservoir peaked for the year on July 10 at elevation 1818.3 feet and declined to 1813 feet by the end of November. It is expected to decline 1.7 feet in December. It is currently 23 feet below normal, but 4 feet higher than last year at this time. 

Fort Peck releases averaged 3,900 cfs in November, compared to the long-term average of 8,700 cfs. The releases will continue to be near 4,000 cfs through December. The reservoir peaked for the year at elevation 2203.2 feet on July 7. On November 30, it was at 2200.1 feet, 31.1 feet below normal and 1 foot lower than last year at this time. It is expected to decline about half a foot during December. 

The six main stem power plants generated 245 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity in November, only 32 percent of normal because of lower pool levels and reduced releases from the dams. Total energy production for 2007 is forecast to be 4.9 billion kWh, a record low, compared to the average annual generation of 10 billion kWh.

Reservoir and river information is updated daily and is available on the Water Management section of the Northwestern Division homepage at www.nwd.usace.army.mil.