[ODFW-News] North Umpqua River users will notice an increase in downstream flows starting in early September

[ODFW News]

PacifiCorp: Dave Kvamme (503) 813-7279

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: Meghan Collins or Dave Loomis
(541) 440-3353

Umpqua National Forest: Susan Johnson (541) 957-3227

 

 

Tuesday, September 6, 2005

 

ROSEBURG - North Umpqua River users will notice an increase in
downstream flows starting in early September. The increase ties together
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife water rights, PacifiCorp power
generation, and the Diamond Lake Restoration Project.

 

Each year in October, ODFW releases two feet of Diamond Lake water as
part of the agency's water rights to increase spring chinook spawning
habitat in the North Umpqua River. This year, ODFW began releasing water
earlier as part of the eight feet that will be drawn down for the
Diamond Lake Restoration Project. The draw down is expected to occur
through April 2006. 

 

In addition to ODFW's water rights, each year PacifiCorp releases stored
water from Lemolo Reservoir in early September to provide augmented
flows below Soda Springs Dam to enhance spring chinook spawning habitat.
The storage releases from Diamond Lake and Lemolo provide increased
power generation during a period of low water supply and create vacant
storage in Lemolo Reservoir to help manage higher flows during the
winter months. 

 

According to PacifiCorp, the expected flow below Soda Springs Dam will
be about 640 cubic feet per second (cfs) of water on Sept. 4. That will
be increased to 725 cfs in mid-September, and steadily increasing to
more than 950 cfs by Oct. 31.

 

"This cooperative plan provides valuable uses of available water when
it's needed the most," said Dave Loomis, ODFW Umpqua Watershed District
Manager. "At the same time, the Diamond Lake Restoration Project
continues on schedule."

 

"When Diamond Lake is being drawn down, we'll be able to provide
additional low-cost power for our customers," said Dave Kvamme,
PacifiCorp spokesperson. We look forward to working with ODFW and the
Forest Service as the project progresses.

 

A contractor for the Umpqua National Forest is expected to begin
reconstructing the Diamond Lake canal in mid-September. The canal will
then be used to release an additional six feet of water from the lake
for the Diamond Lake Restoration Project. A rotenone treatment will be
applied to the lake in September 2006.

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