News Release
| Release Number: | 00-163 |
| Dated: | 9/11/2000 |
| Contact: | Heidi Y. Helwig, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore. – Water releases from Lost Creek Lake, northeast of Medford, Ore., will change often during September as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lowers the lake level for the annual flood damage reduction season, which begins Nov. 1.
On Thursday, Sept. 7, the flows through the dam were increased to 2,200 cubic feet per second. The water releases will remain steady at that amount through Sept 14. Beginning Sept. 15, the amount of water being released will be reduced gradually by about 180 cfs each day until Sept. 20, when it should roughly match the amount of water entering the lake—about 1,100 cfs. This amount is about 150 cfs to 200 cfs higher than last year’s flows at this time.
Lost Creek Lake is operated primarily for flood damage reduction and for fisheries protection. At this time of year when fish are spawning, any decision to reduce or increase water levels must meet fisheries requirements, as outlined and agreed upon by state resource agencies.
These changes in water releases will ultimately lower the elevation of the lake to 1,812 feet. The Corps must release the additional water from the lake to make room to store water from fall and winter rains and runoff.
The lake level is lowered slowly to minimize impacts on lake and downstream river users. The Corps is usually able to delay water releases until after Labor Day to allow full use of lake facilities during the holiday weekend.
"This cycle is similar to what we have done for the last 20 years," notes Steve Watkins, supervisory mechanical engineer at Lost Creek Project. The amount of change shouldn’t affect experienced users much, he said, "and the little extra water, we hope, should help extend the jet boaters’ season down near Grants Pass." Watkins also adds that the boat ramp at Stewart State Park will continue to be available year-round.
Lake users should be extra cautious during the fall and winter months. Because of lower water levels, stumps and other hazards that may be submerged during the summer are exposed during the winter.
To support fisheries, after Sept. 20, the water releases will be held to no more than the amount coming into the lake. This will ensure spawning spring chinook lay their eggs in downstream areas that will remain in water until the eggs hatch. If flows are too high in the river when the fish spawn, they may spawn in areas that will be dry once the river levels drop as the reservoir refills.
A second benefit is that reduced water releases allow use of the coldest water in the lake to keep egg temperatures in the streams closer to historic levels. Warmer water temperatures cause eggs to mature more quickly and hatch early when food is in short supply.
Lower river flows also discourage fall chinook from migrating further upriver into areas used as spawning grounds by the spring chinook. If they were to do so, both fish would be competing for the same spawning areas. Lower river flows also provide a boost to the one-half pounder steelhead fishery. One-half pounders are fish that migrate to sea, and then return after only a few months. Their typical weight of about one-half pound gives these unusual fish their nickname.
Corps projects in the Rogue Basin are operated to serve multiple needs: flood damage reduction, irrigation, fisheries, water supply, water quality and recreation. The Corps' goal is to effectively balance these competing needs to serve the region and its people.
As always, these plans are subject to change if Mother Nature decides to lend a hand in providing either more or less rainfall during the time period.
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Note to Editors: Water release changes by date and amount.
Sept. 7 - increase to 2,200 cfs from 2,075 cfs
Sept. 15 - decrease to 2,020 cfs
Sept. 16 - decrease to 1,840 cfs
Sept. 17 - decrease to 1,660 cfs
Sept. 18 - decrease to 1,480 cfs
Sept. 19 - decrease to 1,300 cfs
Sept. 20 - decrease to 1,100 cfs