Bureau of Reclamation

09/17/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/17/2024 15:59

Reclamation hosts public meeting on Snake River water management

BOISE, Idaho - The Bureau of Reclamation is scheduled to host a public presentation on the Snake River water management system and fall flow ramp down operations on Sept. 18, 2024, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Teton County Library, Ordway Auditorium, 125 Virginian Lane, Jackson, Wyoming.

Reclamation will provide information about the Jackson Lake Dam fall 2024 ramp down that is anticipated to begin on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024. Representatives from a study team also will share information on an Idaho State University-led ramp down study to provide a better understanding and quantify dynamics of Jackson Lake Dam flow ramp downs.

Members of the Snake River agencies group, which includes various federal agencies, state agencies from Wyoming and Idaho and local entities, have regularly met this summer to collaborate on Snake River management. Runoff in the Snake River headwaters watershed has been low for July through present, generally following 10th percentile levels. Low summer precipitation levels have been a large factor driving this trend because the headwaters basin has received only 53% of average precipitation since May 1.

The current storage in Jackson Lake is at 81% of capacity, and the lake is anticipated to reach approximately 76% full in late September to meet flood space requirements, where Jackson Lake may remain for the winter storage season. Anticipated flow releases through winter will be at or above 280 cubic feet per second.

This public meeting is the third public meeting to help ensure the public has an enhanced working knowledge of the upper Snake River system. Information shared in this series of public meetings is available at Jackson Lake Dam Operations, PN Region (usbr.gov). A virtual option to join the meeting is available by following the directions below.

Meeting details:

When: Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024

Location: Teton County Library, Ordway Auditorium, 125 Virginian Lane, Jackson, Wyoming.

Time: 1:30 p.m. Mountain Time

Virtual attendance link: Need help? Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 269 638 719 723

Passcode: nGQZRi

Or call in (audio only)

+1 202-640-1187

Phone Conference ID: 4780294#

Current river and reservoir data are available at https://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/uppersnake/.

For more information about Reclamation programs, please visit https://www.usbr.gov/pn/snakeriver/index.html.

Jackson Lake Dam is located on the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park near Moran, Wyoming. The dam is part of the Minidoka Project and was originally constructed in 1911. Parts of the dam were later replaced in 1989 under the authority of Reclamation's Safety of Dams Act.