PDA

View Full Version : Flowage at normal levels



walleyemaxx
10-19-2010, 02:27 PM
Hi everyone,

Here is an article I found in the SAWYER COUNTY RECORD.

Chippewa Flowage water at normal levels
Northern Wisconsin has received extensive rainfall during the summer period. This has been very favorable for all of Northern States Power Company’s storage reservoirs and river systems, including the Chippewa Flowage.

“It appears the 8-year drought has broken and precipitation has returned to more normal and favorable levels for all,” said Robert Olson, NSP hydro electric plants manager. The Chippewa Flowage is projected to be in the fall full elevation range of 1312 to 1313 feet for the period Oct. 1-Nov. 30, dependent upon fall precipitation.

The elevation as of Oct. 11 was 1312.10 feet. Typically, it is at 1312.5 to 1313.0. The Upper Chippewa River watershed has received above-average rainfall during the summer months. Since May 1 of this year, 32.6 inches of rain has been recorded at the Winter Dam. This amount of rainfall is equivalent to a normal full-year’s precipitation, Olson said.

“The above-normal precipitation has resulted in above-normal tributary inflows into the reservoir as well as increased discharge from the dam during the summer season.

The above-normal rainfall and increased tributary inflow into the reservoir allowed for higher reservoir elevations during the summer months,” he said. “The lowest elevation recorded during the summer season (June 1 to Sept. 30) occurred on June 1. The reservoir elevation remained above the 1312.0 ft. elevation for most of the summer season.”

The reservoir elevation is currently 1.66 feet above the elevation from last year on this date, Olson added.

The annual Fall drawdown of the Moose Lake Reservoir will begin in mid-October, which will provide approximately 7,400 cubic-feet of water to the Chippewa Reservoir, Olson added. This should increase the reservoir elevation. The drawdown of Moose Lake will be completed in November.

Discharge from the Winter Dam will be maintained at a high level to maintain a reservoir elevation between 1311.50 ft. and 1313.0 ft, he said. Actual reservoir levels will be dependent on Fall precipitation and tributary inflow into the reservoir.

“Fall rains and any resulting river inflow to the reservoir are impossible to predict in advance. With normal precipitation and favorable inflow conditions this Fall, it is anticipated that reservoir elevation on December 1 will be around 1312.50 feet,” Olson added.

Good news for the Big Chip.

Walleyemaxx