Current Koocanusa Reservoir elevation: 2457.3 feet Current Koocanusa Reservoir inflow: ~40 kcfs Current Libby Dam outflow: 30 kcfs Bonners Ferry Elevation: 1758.7 feet

Due to intense heat throughout the basin, snowmelt has held inflow into Libby Dam at a high level.    In order to control refill, discharge is being increased this morning from 30 kcfs to 35 kcfs.

Kootenay Lake is seasonally low, and the stage at Bonners Ferry is expected to stay several feet below flood stage.  Discharge will continue at elevated levels until flows to Koocanusa Reservoir have dropped and we are able to pass inflow.

The Northwest River Forecast Center creates daily forecasts for short term projections throughout the Kootenai and Columbia River Basins.  These forecasts can be updated multiple times in a day and can be updated at anytime as conditions change.  Links to those projections can be found below:

 

Short term forecasts for Libby Dam elevations and inflows can be found here:

http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?lid=LYDM8

 

Short term forecasts for Libby Dam releases can be found here:

http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?lid=KBDM8

 

Short term forecasts for Bonners Ferry can be found here:

http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?lid=BFEI1

 

Please note the National Weather Service’s disclaimer on forecasts beyond 3 days.

 

All forecasts and model projections are based on the best information at the current time, as the weather changes so will the short- and long-term predictions.