What are the long-term consequences of a lower reservoir? What if there is a drought next spring/summer?
The lowering of the reservoir is not expected to be a long-term risk reduction measure. If normal operations are resumed this winter, with normal or slightly below normal flows, the reservoir is expected to recover by next spring. After normal operations are resumed, the dam will be managed to maximize lake levels and provide sufficient releases for downstream water quality as it has in the past. If drought conditions exist, we’ll coordinate with others to develop an appropriate release schedule, as we’ve done during five drought periods in the last 10 years.
