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  • Drought conditions persist in the upper Missouri River Basin

    Drought conditions continue to impact the upper Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa (upper Basin). July runoff in the upper Basin was 34% of average. July runoff above Fort Peck Dam was the lowest in 123 years of record-keeping. The updated 2021 upper Basin runoff forecast is 14.6 million acre-feet (MAF), 57% of average. If realized, this runoff amount would be the 10th driest year in the upper Basin since 1898. System storage on August 1 was 53.9 MAF, 2.2 MAF below the base of the Annual Flood Control and Multiple Use Zone. System storage is expected to decline further into the Carryover Multiple Use Zone during the remainder of 2021.

  • USACE implements drought conservation measures

    Water conservation measures were enacted for the second half of the navigation flow support season based on the July 1 Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir System storage, per the guidelines outlined in the Master Manual. Very dry conditions continue to impact the upper Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, IA (upper Basin) despite recent heavy rainfall in the lower Basin. As a result of the low precipitation and widespread drought conditions, June runoff in the upper Basin was 52% of average. The updated 2021 upper Basin runoff forecast is 15.6 million acre-feet (MAF), 60% of average. If realized, this runoff amount would be the 10th driest year in the upper Basin since 1898. System storage on July 1 was 55.2 MAF, 0.9 MAF below the base of the Annual Flood Control and Multiple Use Zone. System storage is expected to decline further into the Carryover Multiple Use Zone during the remainder of 2021.

  • Missouri River navigation support; full-length season, reduced service levels

    The Missouri River Water Management Division will reduce navigation flow support beginning today for the second half of the navigation flow support season.  “We continue to monitor conditions throughout the basin and make adjustments as necessary. We will provide a full update for key stakeholders and the media on our regular July 8 call,” said John Remus, chief of the Missouri River Water Management Division. 

  • Upper basin runoff forecast continues to be below average

    After our June communication materials were sent, we received a few calls from the public seeking clarification on planned releases from Gavins Point Dam. The press release has been updated to highlight this information. Below-average precipitation and dry soil conditions persist in the upper Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, IA (upper Basin). The updated 2021 upper Basin runoff forecast is 17.9 million acre-feet (MAF), 69% of average. If realized, this runoff amount would be in the 22nd driest year in the upper Basin since 1898.

  • Gavins Point spillway flow forecast during archery paddlefish season

    Completion of work being done on a generator at Gavins Point Dam, near Yankton, SD, will allow spillway gates to be closed near the start of archery paddlefish season. The work, which included repairs on the turbines, will be completed ahead of schedule on May 31. As soon as the generator has been checked, and is cleared to return the service, the spillway gates will be closed. Pending any unforeseen problems, the unit is expected to be returned to service on Thursday, June 3rd.

  • Crest Road Closed Monday, May 24 for maintenance

    The road that crosses Gavins Point Dam near Yankton, South Dakota, also known as Crest Road, will be closed Monday, May 24 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. for maintenance. People are asked to take alternate routes during the closure.

  • Gavins Point Dam powerplant generators will be shut down for inspection

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District announces that all three generators at the Gavins Point Dam powerplant near Yankton, South Dakota, will be shut down to allow for the underwater inspection of the draft tube gate slots on the downstream side of the powerplant. During this outage, all 14 spillway gates will be open to meet the authorized purposes downstream.

  • Drought conditions driving lowered runoff forecast

    Very dry conditions in April resulted in very low runoff in the upper Missouri River Basin. The upper Basin runoff was 44% of average, which was the 9th driest April in 123 years of record. The updated 2021 upper Basin runoff forecast is 17.8 million acre-feet (MAF), 69% of average, which, if realized, would rank as the 22nd lowest calendar year runoff volume.

  • 2021 runoff forecast remains below average; Virtual spring public meetings April 6

    Reservoir inflows in the Missouri River basin above Sioux City, Iowa (upper Basin) were well-below average in March. The updated 2021 upper Basin runoff forecast is 21.3 million acre-feet (MAF), 83% of average.

  • Construction project begins below Gavins Point Dam

    YANKTON, S.D. – A large construction contract has begun in the area below Gavins Point Dam along Lake Yankton. The project is to connect relief wells, which are at the bottom, or “toe” of the dam, that are designed to relieve excess water pressure on the earthen structure. There are 75 relief wells and numerous discharges into Lake Yankton. Of those 75 relief wells, 31 will be connected into three main discharges. This will allow for a more controlled discharge. Once the main discharges are installed, the ground will be backfilled with dirt to cover the discharge pipes and prevent any erosion.