Flushing flow planned for Beaverhead River

DILLON – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, the Bureau of Reclamation, and partners from the East Bench Joint Irrigation Board are coordinating to deliver a flushing flow below Clark Canyon Dam.

River users should be aware that the flushing flow regime will be released from April 11 through April 14. Beaverhead River flows may increase from 200 cubic feet per second to up to 750 cubic feet per second during this period. On April 15, releases from the dam will return to about 200 cubic feet per second until the onset of irrigation demand.

Inflows to Clark Canyon Reservoir are forecasted to approach the regulatory flood pool, providing the water needed to conduct the flushing flow. This will mobilize sediment deposited in the Beaverhead River to maintain and improve fish habitat in riffles and pools.

Flushing flows have occurred periodically on the Beaverhead River since 2017 and have been effective in clearing sediment and improving river health.