Flooding 2011

Well thanks to all of the rain in Montana as well as the rain and snow that North Dakota has had this year, the Missouri River is flooding into the Garrison Dam at a record rate. The Missouri River is at flood stage at 16 feet, Bismarck and Mandan are preparing for the river to get up to as much as 24 feet. Previously the Army Corp of Engineers has released no more than 75,000 gallons per second, back in 1975 to prevent uncontrolled flooding. But as of right now they are releasing 102,000 gps and will increase the outlet all the way to 150,000 gps by the middle of June. The means that the rviver front areas in Bismarck and Mandan will be under water, as well as the southern portion of Bismarck due to the sandy soil will have overland flooding.

This is a picture of the spill way that has never been opened since the dam was constructed back in the 1950's. But this morning at 1am the gates were opened to allow the increased flow.

Here is a picture at the bottom of the tail race, showing just how much water was rushing out this weekend before the spillway gates were opened. (85,000 gps)

Here is a better picture of the tail race at the bottom of the Garrison Dam. One of the placks at the dam states that it is one of the largest earthen dams in the world.



Here is a picture at the top of the dam showing the water rushing out.

Usually the water flowing out of the dam is so much slower that it allows for some of the best fishing at the dam. There are usually boats all over the place.