MILLS, Wyo.- The Bureau of Reclamation will be lowering the water level at Guernsey Reservoir as the irrigation season draws to a close. Reclamation lowers Guernsey Reservoir at the end of each irrigation season as irrigation deliveries are discontinued.
“Boaters, recreationists, and irrigators should take proper precautions regarding changing river flows below Glendo and Guernsey Reservoirs and the changing elevations of Guernsey and Glendo," said Wyoming Area Manager, Lyle Myler.
This year Reclamation will begin lowering Guernsey Reservoir after Labor Day and will have the reservoir near empty by the end of September. To avoid potential problems associated with declining reservoir levels, Reclamation advises that watercraft be removed from the reservoir while the boat ramps remain usable.
To make the elevation changes at Guernsey Reservoir, outflows from Glendo Reservoir will be decreased on Tuesday, Sept. 5 and will shut down to low flow by the end of September. The Glendo Reservoir elevation over the Labor Day weekend is expected to be near 4,596 feet. The Marina, Reno Cove, and Whiskey Gulch boat ramps will be useable. Glendo reservoir will continue to decline to an elevation of near 4,584 feet by Sunday, Sept. 17. The Marina, Reno Cove, and Whiskey Gulch boat ramps will be useable, but navigation around the Marina Docks may be difficult. Glendo Reservoir levels will then gradually increase over the winter while capturing natural inflows and releases from Gray Reef Reservoir.
Guernsey Reservoir is the furthest downstream reservoir in the system of Federal storage reservoirs on the main stem of the North Platte River. During the irrigation season, water released from Guernsey Reservoir serves irrigation development in eastern Wyoming and western Nebraska and produces hydropower.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation