Deadman’s Basin Reservoir is currently at 64000 acre feet.  Approximately 37000 acre feet of this will need to be released prior to September 30th in order to lower the reservoir to elevation 3896 which has been determined by DNRC to be a safe level for the rehabilitation project to reconstruct the downstream face of the dam.  This project is related to Dam Safety issues.  Planning for the repairs was started in 2007.  In order to get to this elevation, daily releases need to be in excess of 250 CFS for the next 80 days.

Hydraulic monitoring has been ongoing for the past decade.  The reservoir has water piping through the fill and natural sandstone the fill was placed upon when constructed.  As water levels in the reservoir go up, the piping levels increase.  This has officials concerned about the possibility of sloughing and dam failure when reservoir levels are maintain higher than they have been in recent past. 

Funding and design for the project has been approved and construction for the rehabilitation is scheduled for October 1, 2009.  The present water level and anticipated releases exceed the elevation level set that is considered safe for construction to get underway.  As a result, excessive releases will be necessary in order to reach the safe water elevation. 

The spring weather conditions allowed for greater than recent normal diversion for storage.  Normally, the demand for irrigation water requires earlier and greater amounts of releases for downstream users.   This excessive release will increase normal river flows from Barber to Fort Peck. As a result, the decreed priority date will be higher than normal and some junior water rights will be honored that haven’t normally been in the past.  The DBWUA has also adjusted the percentage of “Contract” water to 90 per cent for its share holders as a result of the excess release requirements. 

It is unfortunate, but the circumstances require the water to be released in order to proceed with necessary repairs. It is anticipated that DBWUA will begin its winter filling regimen by November 1st once the contractor has completed the initial phases of the outlet extension.  You can keep up to date on the construction project on the DBWUA website attached to this page.

John Rouane