Officials advise caution with low releases

 Releases from Gavins Point Dam reduced to zero with spillway tests

This article was originally published in the Yankton Press & Dakotan on May 9, 2012
Click here to read original news story link.

Also, here's a couple links to Yankton P&D stories regarding the same story:

• Corps to conduct spillway test at Gavins Point Dam (April 28, 2012)
• Corps: more tests for spillway (May 5, 2012)

From P&D Staff Reports
The National Park Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are reminding the public to use caution today (Wednesday) as releases at Gavins Point Dam will be halted in order for a damage assessment to be conducted.

Water releases will be reduced beginning at 6 a.m. and continue incrementally until they reach 0 cfs. The releases will remain at 0 cfs for no more than eight hours and will be slowly increased back to normal flow levels. The river level is forecast to drop by eight feet at Yankton and will fall to similar levels downriver. Flow levels may change without notice.



Due to the drastic decrease in river levels the public should take proper precautions. Boat ramps and sections of the river may be inaccessible to motor boats. Be cautious when walking on sandbars as water levels may change rapidly with little notice. This could cause stranding and other dangerous conditions.

Items of cultural significance may appear. Keep in mind the collecting of cultural artifacts is prohibited by federal law. These valuable remnants of our cultural heritage are a national treasure and should be respected.

Also, the boat ramp at Nebraska Tailwaters will be unusable from approximately 6 a.m. through at least 6 p.m.

Also, due to low water conditions, boaters should use caution as the possibility of hazards may exist.

When the assessment is complete and releases resume, the ramp should be usable again in the early evening.

The training dike boat ramp is already closed due to rehabilitation, therefore there will be no Corps ramps to launch from during the assessment period.

For questions or more information, regarding conditions on the Missouri National Recreational River, call the park headquarters 605-665-0209 x29.