Outflow from Libby Dam will increase from the current rate of 13,500 cfs to 23,500 cfs on Wednesday evening, June 10 over a 2-hour period from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Figure 15 Libby Dam Inflow Forecast from Water Supply, ESP and the COE. Project experience includes water control manuals for numerous Corps’ Districts, including: New Orleans District: Caernarvon Freshwater Diversion Structure . flows from Libby Dam (measured at USGS gauge on the Kootenai River below Libby Dam): • Year-round instantaneous minimum flow of 4,000 cfs (already in the proposed action). Lake levels fluctuate throughout the year and are generally highest in July, August and then decrease slightly throughout the fall. Modeling the Effect of Flow and Sediment Transport on White Sturgeon Spawning Habitat in the Kootenai River, Idaho Richard McDonald1; Jonathan Nelson, M.ASCE2; Vaughn Paragamian3; and Gary Barton4 Abstract: Kootenai River white sturgeon spawn in an 18-km reach of the Kootenai River, Id. The hydro electric turbine capacity is designed to handle 24,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), however due to heavy snow melt off and unexpected heavy spring rains the Libby dam had to release an additional 31,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) across the spillway as can be seen in the photos below. Currently. The net result is a more normal spring flow regime that benefits listed species and increases the likelihood of full reservoirs and water supplies for summer flow needs. Outflow will further increase to full powerhouse capacity (approximately 27,000 cfs) at 6:00 am on Thursday morning, June 11. Kootenai River flows are augmented with additional releases of water from Libby Dam. Libby Dam 16 May 2016 Libby Dam Water Management Overview 2016 Kootenai River White Sturgeon Libby Dam Flow Augmentation Operation . The reservoir has a volume of 7.16 km3 and provides flood storage, hydroelectric power production, and recreation benefits. As you may or may not know, Lake Koocanusa is a manmade reservoir that was created 45 years ago (1975) when the Libby Dam was constructed on the Kootenay River in Montana, USA. The spillways are 48 feet wide and 56 feet high and at full capacity water flows through at 1.2 million gallons per second–eight times greater than Niagara Falls which has a normal flow of 150,000 gallons per second. The flow of two generators (700 m3/s each) is roughly equivalent to the average flow of the Iguacu Falls (1500 m3/s). Libby Dam Outflow Update Sturgeon Flow Releases to Begin by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers June 10, 2009. All forecasts increased after the rain events around the 6/15 time frame. Dedicated on August 24, 1975, it is west of the continental divide, seventeen miles (27 km) upstream from the town of Libby. Mica Dam. Currently. Kootenai River Flow: 7,000 Cubic Feet per second, 10-12 foot visibility, 57 degrees. KOOTENAI RIVER AT LEONIA, ID. comm.). The reservoir behind the dam, Lake Koocanusa, extends 90 miles upstream into British Columbia, Canada. Libby Dam is a concrete gravity dam in the northwestern United States, on the Kootenai River in northwestern Montana. Columbia Basin Trust. Libby Dam, located on the Kootenai River 17 miles upstream from the town of Libby, Montana, rises about 422 feet above bedrock and includes a spillway with two 48-foot-wide bays, three 10- by 17-foot regulating sluices, and a powerhouse for eight 105-megawatt generators. Columbia River Treaty. Reclamation's ROD for operations at Hungry Horse Dam was issued in August 2009. Dept of State - Treaty. That was 17 years ago, when the nearby Libby Dam was finished and the waters of the once-wild Kootenai River began backing up in this valley … Fisher River Flow: 177 cfs Yaak River Flow: 313 cfs Thompson River: 281 cfs Fishing Report: The River has stabilized at 7k, and most of the glacial silt has settled out. The model study of the center sluice, Libby Dam… Figure 14: Libby Dam Inflow Forecast from Water Supply, ESP and the COE Plotted with Observed Runoff. The Corps issued a ROD for Libby Dam Flood Control and Fish Operations in June 2008. Currently . Treaty Review (US) Treaty Review (Canada) Treaty (BPA) Treaty - Digital Library. Dam) and flow from Libby Dam (P. McGrane, USACE, pers. The agency designed the flows to aid the downstream movement of young salmon smolts. Water Temp: 43.34 ° F; Flow: 4120 ft³/s; Water Level: 17.86 ft. USGS. Libby and Hungry Horse dams to augment flows in the lower Columbia River. Libby Dam was authorized by Congress in the 1950 Flood Control Act for hydropower and flood protection, and construction was completed in 1973. It called for a 20-foot draft from full pool at both Montana dams by the end of August, which adversely impacted resident fish growth during the critical period, summer and fall. Downstream of Libby Dam, the Kootenai River flows south for about 3.5 miles to the mouth of the Fisher River and then flows northwest through the town of Libby, Montana before entering Idaho. Water temps have risen to … Water behind the Libby dam floods back 42 miles into Canada, while the water released from the dam returns to Canada just upstream of Kootenay Lake. The Libby dam reached an all time high water flow in June of 2006 since the dam was built in 1968. Contact Us. A stilling basin below the spillways and sluiceways helps slow the water’s velocity to prevent downstream erosion. • Minimum flows between Kootenai River white sturgeon flows and salmon augmentation flows are shown in Table 1 using traditional flood control at Libby and in Table 2 using VARQ flood control at Libby. Libby Dam outflow is expected to remain at 7 kcfs through August. Libby Dam, the fourth and last dam built under the treaty, was completed in 1975 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The dam was constructed as part of a treaty between the United States and Canada to cooperatively develop the water resources of the Columbia River drainage basin. The Karaj Dam (Amir kabir) The initial studies for Amirkabir Dam took 22 years until 1956 when formal proceedings began and the dam was constructed in the period from 1957 to 1961 by Morrison Knudsen. This reduction was caused by the influence of Libby Dam on the flow regime and on the reduction of sediment in the river below the dam due to its sediment trapping characteristics. Currently. Libby Dam and Lake Koocanusa. The reservoir was officially impounded in 1972 after construction of Libby Dam, which began in 1966. Rapids and Float Notes. The river, named for the nearby Kootenai people (Kitunahan), still experiences fluctuations in water flow, but often allows for a leisurely rafting, canoeing or kayaking float trip for 20 miles below Jennings Rapid. 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