River flushing flow scheduled

The Bureau of Reclamation, in collaboration with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGF), has scheduled a flushing flow in the Wind River downstream of Boysen Dam, according to Wyoming Area Manager, Lyle Myler.

The current reservoir content is above average, and the spring runoff is anticipated to be above average,” said Myler. “Reclamation will retime operations and provide the flushing flow with the expectation that excess water will need to be released this spring.” 

 Flows in the river below Boysen Dam will be incrementally increased from approximately 1,100 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 5,000 cfs on the morning of March 28.  The 5,000 cfs flow will continue for a 10-hour period.  Flows will then be incrementally reduced back down to approximately 2,200 cfs.

Flows of 5,000 cfs or more in the Wind River below Boysen Dam are not unusual during peak summer snowmelt runoff periods in years of above average runoff.  But the flows will be high for this early in the spring.

The public is urged to use caution during this period of rapid fluctuation of flows.

The Hot Springs County River and Stream awareness level has been raised to orange for the event. For more information, visit http://www.hscounty.com