Water levels upstream of John Day Dam may remain high through December

PORTLAND, ORE. – Water levels upstream of the John Day Dam may remain high during November and December to provide additional storage for power generation and river operations, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced.  Actual reservoir elevations in November and December could vary between 262.0 feet and 266.5 feet, but will likely stay above 264 feet most of the time.

The Corps’ normal operating levels of the John Day reservoir are between 262.5 feet and 268.0 feet.  All water levels are measured at the dam, which means actual water levels may vary at specific points along the shore.  October operating levels are usually higher than those between April and September, which are kept lower to help juvenile fish migrating to the ocean.

If facilities or infrastructure located near the John Day reservoir experience significant adverse impacts due to the higher operating range, owners are encouraged to report impacts to the Corps’ Reservoir Control Center at (503) 808-3942.

The Corps is authorized to fill the John Day reservoir to its maximum level of 268 feet at any time during the year in support of flood damage reduction efforts, as needed.