Willwood Dam Sediment Mobilization and Shoshone River Flushing Flow

Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality  | view as a webpage

Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality

Willwood Dam Sediment Mobilization and Shoshone River Flushing Flow

On Tuesday, April 11th, between 8 AM and 2 PM, 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, and others), is planning to release sediment from Willwood Dam. Turbidity levels in the Shoshone River downstream of Willwood Dam are expected to be elevated during this time. The sediment release is planned to occur immediately before flows in the Shoshone River at Willwood Dam increase as a result of a flushing flow from Buffalo Bill Reservoir that will take place from April 11th to April 14th. 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 minimize the impacts of the sediment release to the downstream Shoshone River fishery. The sediment release will be closely monitored to ensure sediment levels do not cause unacceptable effects to fish and other aquatic life. 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].