Receding snowpack in the Clearwater sub-basin has prompted managers of Dworshak Reservoir to shift their focus from seasonal flood-risk-management to recreation-fill operations.
During last week’s snow line flight of the North Fork Clearwater Basin, reservoir managers observed a firm snow line at or above 6-thousand feet in the basin – about 4 percent, or less, of snow cover across the sub-basin. The significant reduction in snowpack led managers to reduce discharges from Dworshak Dam and begin refilling the reservoir on Thursday.
The reservoir is already within 1 foot of full-pool elevation of 1,600 feet. Current inflow estimates indicate the reservoir will reach full-pool elevation Wednesday – about 10 days earlier than this year’s July 1st target.
Officials plan to maintain the reservoir elevation within the top foot of full-pool until July 6th, or until cold flows from Dworshak are needed for temperature control to help federally listed fish.
