Flaming Gorge Reservoir increased releases from the dam into the Green River on Monday and caution is urged. Releases were increased from 6,600 cfs to the maximum capacity of 8,600 cfs where it is expected to remain through the month of June. The Bureau of Reclamation continues to watch the above-average spring water runoff in the Upper Green Basin of 2.26 million acre-feet this year which is 231 percent of average. June is anticipated to be a heavy month for runoff as “snowpack remains robust because of the high elevation and cool temperatures over the month of May, and peak inflows are expected in June.” Flaming Gorge has been measured at an elevation of 6,024 feet which is only 15 feet below full pool but the Bureau reports that this will be sufficient storage for runoff because of the early releases through the spring. It is estimated the releases will be decreased between July and September to around 2,300 cfs. All recreating on the Green River or other waterways are urged to use extreme caution.
