The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is planning to procede with a pulse of water flow in the Missouri River later this month for the benefit of the endangered pallid sturgeon.
The timing of the pulse corresponds with annual spring increases to meet navigation targets at Sioux City, Omaha, Nebraska City and Kansas City.
The water needed for the pulse will be gradually staged in Fort Randall and Gavins Point reservoirs prior to its implementation, further reducing negative impacts to storage in the three large upper reservoirs of Oahe, Garrison and Fort Peck.
The pulse is part of the 2003 Amended Biological Opinion of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The opinion identified pulses in the spring from Gavins Point as part of the Reasonable and Prudent Alternative to avoid jeopardizing the continued existence of the endangered pallid sturgeon as required by the Endangered Species Act.
On Feb. 28, ice formation upstream of Sioux City, Iowa, resulted in Missouri River level drops of 2 to 4 feet from Sioux City to St. Joseph, Mo., as the “sag” moved downstream. Releases were increased from Gavins Point to help ensure the continued operation of downstream water intakes.
Nebraska City, Neb. —
