Kootenai River conditions |
| July 12, 2011 |
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Current Koocanusa Reservoir inflow is ~36 kcfs.
Current Libby Dam outflow is ~15 kcfs. The 1.20 MAF sturgeon volume was expended yesterday, July 11. At 1 a.m. MST Libby began ramping down from 15 kcfs to 13 kfcs. This ramp down is to begin the ramp down to summer flat flow, which is currently modeled to be around 9-12 kcfs. A second ramp down will likely happen this week. Current Koocanusa Reservoir elevation is 2440.7 feet. The reservoir is currently filling at under a foot per day, and this rate is expected to continue in the short-term. We are targeting to be within 10' of full, 2449', or above at the end of the month. Peak pool is currently projected to be in the second week of August, with an elevation of 2449'-2455'. The Northwest River Forecast Center creates daily forecasts for short term projections throughout the Kootenai and Columbia River Basins. These forecasts can be updated multiple times in a day and can be updated at anytime as conditions change. Links to those projections can be found below: Short term forecasts for Libby Dam elevations and inflows can be found here: http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?lid=LYDM8 Short term forecasts for Libby Dam releases can be found here: http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?lid=KBDM8 Short term forecasts for Bonners Ferry can be found here: http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?lid=BFEI1 Please note the National Weather Service's disclaimer on forecasts after three days. All forecasts and model projections are based on the best information at the current time, as the weather changes so will the short and long-term predictions. |