For Release: June 2, 2023
Media Contacts: Doug Hendrix, dhendrix@usbr.gov, 702-293-8391
Boulder City, Nev. — During June, the Bureau of Reclamation will reduce overnight water releases from Davis Dam to decrease the local caddisfly population.
Overnight releases will drop to approximately 2,300 cubic feet per second, for a four-hour duration, over two periods. The first period will begin on Tuesday, June 6 at 12 a.m. and run for three consecutive nights, concluding on June 8 at 4 a.m. The second period will begin on June 12 at 10 p.m. and run for three consecutive nights, concluding on June 15 at 2 a.m.
River users should be aware that these lower river flows may expose or create natural hazards such as sandbars, unstable riverbanks, floating or submerged debris or other unfamiliar obstacles – until the river returns to pre-low flow release levels.
The reduced flows below Davis Dam, requested by Bullhead City, Arizona, and Laughlin, Nevada, are part of a study effort to combat this nuisance species that negatively impact businesses and visitors to the area. During this time, the water levels below Davis Dam will drop, exposing the banks of the river channel where caddisfly pupae and larvae live, allowing the local bird and bat populations to assist with pest abatement by feeding on the exposed insects. The experiments are designed to maximize benefits to Colorado River communities while taking into consideration water delivery requirements and impacts to hydropower production and local recreation.
Planned operations may change depending on operational or environmental conditions. Daily and hourly information on releases from Reclamation’s Colorado River dams is available on Reclamation’s web site, at: https://www.usbr.gov/lc/riverops.html. Davis Dam and Parker Dam projected water release schedules are available on Reclamation’s website at: https://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/hourly/DavisParkerSchedules.pdf.
If you have any questions regarding reservoir releases, please contact the Lower Colorado Basin River Operations Control Center at 702-293-8373 or BCOOwaterops@usbr.gov.
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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the largest wholesale water supplier in the United States, and the nation’s second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.
