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Bismarck, N.D. (AP) The Army Corps of Engineers says it will
be adjusting releases at Missouri River dams this month to start
positioning the reservoirs for hydropower generation this winter
and spring snow melt runoff next spring.
Releases will be reduced from both Fort Peck and Garrison Dams
this month as irrigation below the dams comes to an end, but with
local runoff the two reservoirs will remain about level through
September.
The corps says Lake Oahe will continue to fall as the annual
drawdown is done to position it to capture next year's runoff.
Jody Farhat with the corps says the adjustments are normal for
this time of year.
After years of drought, the forecast for Missouri River basin
runoff this year is 33.4 million acre feet, 35 percent above
normal. Lake Oahe crested near 1,614 feet in June and Lake
Sakakawea at 1,842.6 feet in August, well above last year's levels.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
APNP 09-04-09 1044CDT