Bighorn River Flushing Flow Fire

Hot Springs County Emergency Management Coordinator Bill Gordon reports flow in the Bighorn River was increased on Tuesday morning to 1,850cfs. The Bighorn River Flushing Flow has been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 4. Accordingly, the county River and Stream Awareness Level will remain at orange. This level is used when river flow is at 5,000cfs. After a 12-hour flow of 5,000cfs the flow will be reduced and held at 2,200cfs, in order to begin making room for snowmelt in Boysen Reservoir.

According to Gordon, after next Tuesday, expect the awareness level to go to blue, which is used when residents and visitors alike should remain alert and aware for announcements regarding river and stream flows. The data on snowpack which will run into Boysen Reservoir shows higher to much higher than normal. This will mean eventual releases from Boysen Dam will likely be higher than we have seen in the past few years.

Also, the data for the Owl Creek drainage system is indicating higher than normal and may result in high flows into lower Owl Creek later this spring.

The Blue River and Stream Awareness Level indicates a time to be aware and alert for messages regarding these increases. The ad, seen on this page, will be updated as needed. As many of these changes may not coincide with IR publication days, also watch https://www.facebook.com/HSCEMC for important announcements on stream and river flows. Those notices will also be shared on the Independent Record’s Facebook Page.