Fluctuation of North Platte River Flow Downstream of Gray Reef Dam

MILLS, Wyo. – The Bureau of Reclamation, in response to a request from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, has scheduled a series of fluctuating flows in the North Platte River downstream of Gray Reef Dam.

The purpose of the fluctuations is to improve trout reproduction in the river. This spring, the Wyoming Game & Fish has requested flows for ten consecutive days. The Wyoming Game & Fish will collect data before, during, and after the flushing flow in order to evaluate its effectiveness.

On March 7, flows in the river below Gray Reef Dam will fluctuate from 500 cfs to 4000 cfs according to the following schedule:

HOURS                                              GRAY REEF OUTFLOWS (cfs)

00:01 to 01:00 a.m.                             500

01:00 to 03:00 a.m.                             2000

03:00 to 07:00 a.m.                             4000

07:00 to 08:00 a.m.                             3000

08:00 to 09:00 a.m.                             2000

09:00 to 10:00 a.m.                             1000

10:00 to midnight                               500

This schedule will be repeated daily on March 8 through March 16. After completing the flushing flow on March 16, the flows below Gray Reef Dam will return to 500 cfs. The schedule may be modified depending on river ice conditions.

The flushing flows are expected to clean the spawning gravels of fine sediment which has accumulated over the winter. The fluctuations in the river flow will be achieved without loss of power generation and the water released from Alcova Reservoir will be restored downstream in Glendo Reservoir.

The public is urged to use caution during this period of rapid fluctuation of flows below Gray Reef Dam.

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