August 9, 2011
Officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today Lake Audubon pool levels will begin dropping on August 11. Lake Audubon pool levels were increased in early June as part of flood control operations at Garrison Reservoir and have been held at a level of 1849.2 to 1849.5 feet above mean sea level (msl) since June 2, 2011.
Garrison Reservoir is currently at a level of 1849.8 feet msl and based on current forecasts will be receding at a rate of approximately 0.2 to 0.3 feet per day over the next several weeks. By August 11, Garrison Reservoir is forecasted to reach a level of 1849.2 feet msl, the same level as Lake Audubon. At that time the control gate at Lake Audubon will be opened and water stored in the lake will flow back into Garrison Reservoir.
Because of limitations on the size of the Lake Audubon control gate, pool levels will recede, but at a much slower rate than Garrison Reservoir. It is expected that by mid-September, the lake will reach a level of 1847.0 feet, which is the normal pool level for Lake Audubon from spring through Labor Day. Normally from Labor Day through early November, the Lake Audubon pool level is lowered to a level of 1845.0 feet msl and held constant throughout the winter. This year in mid-September when the lake reaches a level of 1847.0 feet msl, the control gate will remain open until the pool level reaches the target level of 1845.0 feet msl on about November 15.
Lake Audubon is a sub-impoundment of Garrison reservoir, located 8 miles northeast of Riverdale, N.D. Impounded by the Snake Creek Embankment, the la ke was created in 1954 with the relocation of U.S. Highway 83 and a railroad across the Snake Creek Arm of Lake Sakakawea. The lake also provides fish and wildlife enhancement, and diversion of water for irrigation.