|
The Willwood Irrigation District, in coordination with Willwood Work Group 2 (Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Wyoming Water Development Office, United States Bureau of Reclamation, United States Geological Survey, Wyoming State Engineer’s Office, and others), is planning to release sediment from Willwood Dam between 8AM and 2 PM on April 7th. Turbidity levels in the Shoshone River downstream of Willwood Dam are expected to be elevated during this time. Sediment mobilization will occur immediately before flows in the Shoshone River at Willwood Dam are increased by a flushing flow event from Buffalo Bill Reservoir that is scheduled to occur from April 7th to April 10th. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department, in consultation and support from Willwood Work Group 2, requested the flushing flow from the United States Bureau of Reclamation to mobilize sediment behind Willwood Dam while protecting the downstream Shoshone River fishery. This effort will be closely monitored using real-time United States Geological Survey equipment and observers from Work Group 2 that will be on-site. The sediment release and flushing flow are intended to minimize impacts to irrigators, fisherman, recreators, as well as aquatic life in the Shoshone River. Questions regarding this effort can be directed to David Waterstreet at 307-777-6709 or [email protected].
|
