The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla District has announced that Dworshak Dam will begin increasing outflows Tuesday evening from the current rate of 1,600 cubic feet per second to am approximate range of 3,000-5,000 cfs.
The dam has been releasing minimum flows for most of 2024 to allow the reservoir to fill as much as possible. The reservoir is at a current elevation of 1,585 feet, 15 feet from a full pool. Water managers have been conservative with fill because the below average snowpack and water supply for the year. The planned increase in discharge is due to Dworshak transitioning into final fill as the last of the snowpack melts off. The snow melt and peak inflow to the reservoir are occurring approximately 2 weeks earlier than average. Corps officials expect the reservoir to be within 10 feet from full for Memorial Day weekend.
A snowline verification flight is planned for the last week of May to assess the remaining snowpack in the Clearwater basin and if it is safe to allow the reservoir to fill into the last 10 feet.
For safety, the public is advised to be aware of the danger associated with fluctuating river flows and elevations. The river at this time of year is deep, cold and fast, so extreme caution should be used near riverbanks. Boaters, anglers and other people using waterways both in Dworshak Reservoir and below the dam on the Clearwater River are advised to be alert to changes in water elevation and volume of flow.
