Missouri River runoff inching up

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The Army Corps of Engineers said it continues to conserve water in the Missouri River reservoirs and has revised upward its forecast for runoff this year.

A shortened downstream navigation season and mild temperatures allowed the corps to cut releases from the reservoirs to a third of normal recently. The corps said reduced discharges will continue until the onset of cold weather, when releases are usually increased to serve downstream water intakes.

Runoff this year is projected at 26.3 million acre-feet, up from the 25.3 million acre-feet that was predicted in October. Normal runoff is 25 million acre-feet.

It would be the first year of above-normal runoff since 1999.

Tags: corps of engineers, missouri, ri er, water