Reductions in water releases from Garrison Reservoir continue, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers scheduled to close the remaining spillway gates Aug. 17.
Dam safety monitoring and surveillance requirements will be reduced as the reservoir elevation continues to decline. Closure of spillway flows will further reduce tail water elevations and allow the Corps to provide additional access to some downstream areas of the Garrison Project to the public.
The East diagonal road on Garrison Dam will be opened to the public Aug. 18 and will provide access to; the east side of the tailrace, the tailrace boat ramp, the power plant and the Garrison National Fish Hatchery. The West diagonal road and access to the west side of the tailrace will remain closed due to continued record releases from the regulating tunnels and damage to the West Tailrace Road.
The downstream fish cleaning station will remain closed due to a lack of water pressure, a result of a break in the North Central water supply line following the opening of the spillway gates June 1. This line will be repaired following closure of the spillway.
Members of the public using the tailrace are encouraged to exercise caution and wear life jackets, as water releases in the tailrace will remain at record levels through the end of August, and significant changes in the river channel are likely due to the unprecedented high river flows.
Although there was no damage to the Corps’ campground from this year’s event, the area does not have sufficient water pressure to serve campers and will remain closed for the remainder of the year. High flows in the tailrace continue to cause the shoreline along the campground to slough and remains unsafe for the public. Access to the downstream campground area will remain closed until flows are reduced to a safer level.
The spillway pond recreation area will also remain closed due to a significant amount of bank erosion. The swim beach has been washed away and the boat ramp is no longer useable. This area will be re-opened to the public once repairs are complete and the area is deemed safe for public access.
For general questions regarding our flood response information efforts, please call (402) 996-3877, (877) 214-9110 or e-mail us at MRJIC@usace.army.mil.