Pine River Irrigation District

The USGS did measure the gage near Ignacio and the flow was slightly over 2,000 cfs. Not unexpected after the DWR measurement of close to 1,800 cfs upstream yesterday. There are still significant inflows up and down the tributaries to the Pine River all the way to Navajo Reservoir. 

The powerplant will come back online this afternoon. There will be some fluctuations in the river flows at all gages downstream as a result of the adjustments. The gages should settle back very close to where they are at 2:00 pm this afternoon.

The Reservoir elevation is turning and going back down as of this morning. Long slow overnight turn.

The releases will remain near 1,750 cfs. We will lower the elevation (capacity) of the reservoir for safety and in preparation for the next storm in about 10 days. That storm is much weaker than the past few and much colder and should generate mostly snow; however, having room in the reservoir for storage is very important at this time.

Please continue to follow La Plata County updates on road closures and emergency procedures and there helpful links to all the tools available to you through them.

There may be another update later today, but possibly tomorrow depending on the circumstances this afternoon.  All Trends are still in a positive direction.