Target Flows
Water Projects and Flow Management Strategies
The program uses incentive-based water projects to provide sufficient water to and through the central Platte River habitat area to assist in improving and maintaining habitat for the target species. The program focuses on re-timing and improving flows to reduce target flow shortages by an average of 130,000 to 150,000 acre-feet per year. In addition to the improved flow conditions, small pulse flows in the spring are intended to create vegetation-free sand bars suitable for plover and tern nesting.
Flow re-timing is accomplished in part by releases from the Environmental Account (EA) in Lake McConaughy. Other actions include slightly revised operations of other water systems; general re-timing of Platte River system water projects and other project management actions; and implementation of new water supply and conservation projects in the basin.
| Period | Dates | Wet | Normal | Dry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 1 - 31 | 1,000 CFS | 1,000 CFS | 600 CFS |
| 2 | February 1 - 14 | 1,800 CFS | 1,800 CFS | 1,200 CFS |
| 3 | February 15 - 28 | 3,350 CFS | 3,350 CFS | 2,250 CFS |
| 4 | March 1 - 15 | 3,350 CFS | 3,350 CFS | 2,250 CFS |
| 5 | March 16 - 22 | 1,800 CFS | 1,800 CFS | 1,200 CFS |
| 6 | March 23 - 31 | 2,400 CFS | 2,400 CFS | 1,700 CFS |
| 7 | April 1 - 30 | 2,400 CFS | 2,400 CFS | 1,700 CFS |
| 8 | May 1 - 10 | 2,400 CFS | 2,400 CFS | 1,700 CFS |
| 9 | May 11 - 19 | 1,200 CFS | 1,200 CFS | 800 CFS |
| 10 | May 20 - 26 | 4,900 CFS | 3,400 CFS | 800 CFS |
| 11 | May 27 - 31 | 3,400 CFS | 3,400 CFS | 800 CFS |
| 12 | June 1 - 20 | 3,400 CFS | 3,400 CFS | 800 CFS |
| 13 | June 21 - 30 | 1,200 CFS | 1,200 CFS | 800 CFS |
| 14 | July 1 - 31 | 1,200 CFS | 1,200 CFS | 800 CFS |
| 15 | August 1 - 31 | 1,200 CFS | 1,200 CFS | 800 CFS |
| 16 | September 1 - 15 | 1,200 CFS | 1,200 CFS | 800 CFS |
| 17 | September 16 - 30 | 1,000 CFS | 1,000 CFS | 600 CFS |
| 18 | October 1 - 31 | 2,400 CFS | 1,800 CFS | 1,300 CFS |
| 19 | November 1 - 15 | 2,400 CFS | 1,800 CFS | 1,300 CFS |
| 20 | November 16 - 30 | 1,000 CFS | 1,000 CFS | 600 CFS |
| 21 | December 1 - 31 | 1,000 CFS | 1,000 CFS | 600 CFS |
