This spring, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may conduct its test releases of water from Fort Peck Dam. The releases, outlined in a 2021 plan, would only take place if the lake elevation is at 2,227 feet. Under the scenario, flows in mid-April would be increased by 1,700 cubic feet per second each day until the gauge at Wolf Point hits 16,000 cfs. The reason for the release is to test whether endangered pallid sturgeon will be encouraged to move upstream to spawn. The high flow would be held for three days, then decreased through mid-July. Even with the current record-low snowpack, the Corps is estimating there will be enough water to conduct the test flow. To learn more, check out my story at https://billingsgazette.com/outdoors/us-army-corps-of-engineers-fort-peck-reservoir-missouri-river-pallid-sturgeon-us-geological-survey/article_4f22a8dc-c477-11ee-995d-13629529cbc2.html
Written by Brett French | Outdoors editor | Billings Gazette
