Big Horn River flows should begin to decrease

The Bureau of Reclamation and Corp of Engineers anticipate beginning reductions in releases from Boysen this week.

Exact dates and times are unknown, but reductions will be in 500 cfs increments, every 2-3 hours. The goal for now is to reduce flows through the Wind River into Big Horn River to 4,000-5,000 cfs, then remain in that range until Boysen Reservoir is out of the flood pool and down to normal storage level.

Though the early thinking was that reductions might start Tuesday, it is a coordinated decision between the Bureau of Reclamation and Corps of Engineers as the Wind River flows into Boysen are in a steady decline.

Hot Springs County Emergency Management Coordinator Bill Gordon said he expects the official release order to be issued Wednesday or Thursday at the latest.