News Release
| Release Number: | 99-057 |
| Dated: | 6/25/1999 |
| Contact: | Public Affairs Office, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently released its final 1999 summer water management plans for its Rogue River Basin lakes. Variations in the water release schedules were made to incorporate changes in runoff forecasts and comments at the annual public meetings in May.
This year's heavy snowpack has forced the Corps to do a juggling act with releases all spring. Flexibility and changes have been vital to successful regulation that protects the public and the environment. Following the public meetings in May, Corps water regulators decided to fill Lost Creek Lake on the Rogue River by June 12, and Applegate Lake on the Applegate River by June 15. Normally the Corps tries to fill the lakes by May 1 each year for recreational purposes.
The Corps' was asked to release water from the lake for downstream fisheries protection, however, cooler weather kept the large snowpack from melting, and Lost Creek Lake was still two feet short of full, at elevation 1,870 feet, by June 20. Applegate Lake filled by June 15, as planned.
On June 20, the Corps began lowering Lost Creek Lake by increasing the releases from 3,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 4,250 cfs. The increased releases are required to decrease the amount of water in the lake so late summer and fall releases can be regulated to provide the best conditions downstream for chinook salmon spawning which begins in mid-September. If water is high in the river when chinook start to spawn, their nests could be uncovered if the water drops later, and the eggs could die. Releasing some water now helps prevent that problem. Unfortunately river flows have been higher than normal, which has impacted anglers and rafters. Because of the higher flows, all river users are urged to use additional caution.
"We start preparing for our fall requirements in the summer months so that we can make gradual changes in the river," Davidson said. "We start the process early so that all river users-and fish-benefit. Beginning releases now also lowers the lake level as flood damage reduction season begins. Although flood damage reduction season begins Nov. 1, we need to be down to flood damage reduction level, elevation 1812, by mid-September to protect the fish. If we wait too long, then we have to release more water, in a shorter time, which raises river flows too high."
"People who enjoy the various recreational opportunities at Lost Creek Lake will not notice any significant difference in lake levels from previous years," said Jim Buck, Operations Project Manager. "The boat ramps and docks on the lake will be usable through the Labor Day weekend, and the fish should still be biting."
The Corps will begin lowering Applegate Lake after July 10, if the snowmelt continues as expected, Davidson said. The goal is to release lake water to meet downstream water supply and fisheries needs while gradually lowering the lake to its flood damage reduction season elevation by Nov. 15.
Corps projects in the Rogue River 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.