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Advisories
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Water Release from Rafferty Reservoir
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February 26, 2010
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The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority advises that it will begin releasing water from the Rafferty Dam on March 1, 2010. Rafferty Dam is located on the Souris River just upstream of the City of Estevan.
The release will continue throughout the month of March, and will hasten the deterioration of ice conditions along the Souris River downstream of the dam. This will weaken the ice significantly and cause open water in local areas, creating very hazardous conditions. People using the river and adjacent area downstream of the dam for any purpose are therefore advised to use caution. The release is not anticipated to cause any flooding of buildings or lands outside of the river channel; however, low level crossings along the Souris River are expected to be overtopped, and will be out of service while the release is underway.
The operation is intended to minimize the potential increase in water levels within the reservoir that could occur due to above-normal spring runoff. The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority’s most recent Provincial Streamflow Forecast shows above-normal potential runoff conditions for all areas south of Highway #1. This estimate is based on soil moisture conditions at freeze-up and existing snowpack accumulations, and assumes average climatic conditions from now to the end of spring runoff. A well above-average runoff is forecast for the basin in North Dakota.
Rafferty Reservoir is used to provide flood protection for Saskatchewan and North Dakota. The operation of the reservoir is regulated by an international agreement with the North Dakota and United States governments. Spring releases are part of the operating plan for above average spring runoffs. This release has been coordinated with the governments of North Dakota and the United States.
Rafferty Reservoir is currently at 549.47 m (1802.72 ft) above sea level. The reservoir’s Interim Full Supply Level is 549.50 m. This release will lower the water level in the reservoir by approximately 0.5 metres. The water level is expected to return to the reservoir’s Interim Full Supply Level following spring runoff.
The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority will be closely monitoring flows and water levels on the Souris River downstream of the dam, and will make any changes to releases if necessary.
For more information, contact:
Doug Johnson
Director, Basin Operations
Saskatchewan Watershed Authority
Moose Jaw
Phone: (306) 694-3959
or
Clinton Molde
Regional Manager
Saskatchewan Watershed Authority
Weyburn
Phone: (306) 848-2347
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Advisories