Temporary fluctuation of North Platte River flow to improve trout reproduction

MILLS, Wyo. - A series of fluctuating flows in the North Platte River downstream of Gray Reef Dam will occur March 7-14 following a delay from the originally planned schedule. The fluctuating flows were requested by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to improve trout reproduction conditions in the river. Operational constraints required shifting the start of the fluctuating flows from March 5 to March 7.

On Saturday and Sunday, March 7-8, and on Friday and Saturday, March 13-14 flows in the river below Gray Reef Dam will fluctuate from 500 cubic feet per second (cfs) to approximately 4,000 cfs according to the following schedule:

HOURS GRAY REEF OUTFLOWS (cfs)

• 00:01 to 03:00 a.m. 500
• 03:00 to 03:30 a.m. 2,000
• 03:30 to 07:30 a.m. 4,000
• 07:30 to 08:00 a.m. 3,000
• 08:00 to 08:30 a.m. 2,000
• 08:30 to 09:00 a.m. 1,000
• 09:00 to midnight 500

On Monday-Thursday, March 9-12, flows in the river below Gray Reef Dam will fluctuate from 500 cubic feet per second (cfs) to approximately 4000 cfs according to the following schedule:

HOURS GRAY REEF OUTFLOWS (cfs)

• 0:01 to 07:30 a.m. 500
• 07:30 to 08:00 a.m. 2,000
• 08:00 to 12:00 p.m. 4,000
• 12:00 to 12:30 p.m. 3,000
• 12:30 to 01:00 p.m. 2,000
• 01:00 to 01:30 p.m. 1,000
• 01:30 to midnight 500

After completing the flushing flow, the flows below Gray Reef Dam will return to 500 cfs.

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.