Drought prompts sharp reduction in Gavins Point releases

YANKTON, S.D. — Water releases from Gavins Point Dam are being reduced to a fall drought conservation level last used in 2008, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps said reductions began Nov. 6, with releases being lowered by about 3,000 cubic feet per second daily toward a target of 9,000. That is about 63 percent below the Nov. 3 release rate of 24,500 cubic feet per second. Persistent drought prompted the reductions. Runo in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City is forecast at 63 percent of average this year. The Corps also shortened the season for providing river flows to support navigation. Support ended Nov. 6 at Sioux City and will end Nov. 15 at the river’s mouth near St. Louis, instead of the usual Dec. 1. Releases are scheduled to increase to a winter rate of 12,000 cubic feet per second beginning Dec. 1.

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