Beginning Sept. 14, the water releases from Prineville Reservoir will be decreased from the current flow rate of approximately 180 cubic feet per second down to a flow rate of approximately 10 cfs as downstream irrigation demands decrease. The public should expect much lower-than-normal water levels in the Crooked River following the decrease, which could potentially impact recreational activities. Multiple years of drought conditions is the major contributing factor.
Prineville Reservoir is currently 12% full and is at the lowest level on record. Following the decrease in releases, the water level in the reservoir will stabilize at a level of around 11% full.
For current water storage information, please visit https://www.usbr.gov/pn/
The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation’s largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR.
