Some Snake River Dams Releasing More Than Average

Some of our station’s viewers have voiced concern about what seems to be a high level of water rushing out of the American Falls dam.

We contacted the Bureau of Reclamation to find out if there is more water leaving the dam. The short answer is yes.

But maybe not for long.

“As the snow accumulation has failed to accumulate, we’ve already begun to cut back,” said bureau spokesman Mike Beus.

He said the bureau is starting to cut back on water releases from American Falls because some of those heavier-than-usual releases were based on forecasts expecting a La Nina winter with a lot of snow.

He also said reservoir levels have also been considerably higher than normal, and that has fueled some of the water release.

“If we continue to have dry weather we’ll be cutting back throughout the remainder of the winter,” he said.

Water from dams along the Snake River is released based on needs downstream. During last year’s water year to Jan. 9, 2011 the bureau released 700 to 750 cubic feet of water per second between American Falls and Lake Milner. During the current water year, to Jan. 9, 2012 the bureau is releasing 6,000 cubic square feet per second.

“Well, there certainly is water that could be stored in American Falls,” said Beus.

It could be stored, but isn’t. Beus said storing a great deal of water at American Falls can be hazardous as it gets colder, because ice can damage some of the systems.