Missouri River News - March 14, 2005
http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050309/NEWS/503090316/1001/NEWS
“Corps of Engineers to inspect dam.” Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 9 March 2005.
The Army Corps of Engineers will cut off the water flow to the Gavins Point power plant on Wednesday and use an underwater camera to inspect the dam.
*also appeared in the Omaha World Herald, 9 March 2005.
http://www.jamestownsun.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=26236&SectionID=31&SubSectionID=98&S=1
“Judge sets deadline for legal briefs in NAWS dispute.” Jamestown Sun, 9 March 2005.
U.S. District Judge Rosemary Collyer in February granted Manitoba’s request for more study of the $145 million project that will bring Missouri River water to northwest and north central North Dakota.
http://www.jamestownsun.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=26235&SectionID=31&SubSectionID=98&S=1
“Minot officials decide to advance money for pipeline.” Jamestown Sun, 9 March 2005.
City officials have decided to advance money for the last leg of the Northwest Area Water Supply project to bring Missouri River water to north central and northwestern North Dakota.
Bill Graham. “Platte County a leader in building trails.” Kansas City Star, 9 March 2005.
A 3.5-mile trail is open from Weston to the Beverly area at the Missouri 45 and Missouri 92 junction, highways that also are used by bicyclists. That trail offers access to the Missouri River, Weston Bend State Park and the trails within the park.
http://www.aberdeennews.com/mld/aberdeennews/news/11098638.htm
Good fishing, access expected for Lake Oahe.” Aberdeen American News, 10 March 2005.
The lake is currently at 1,576 feet above sea level, almost the lowest it has ever been; it was 1,572 feet last fall, the record low. But that mark might soon be shattered. The Army Corps of Engineers issued a forecast on Wednesday that the lake will be at 1,568 feet at the end of August.
http://www.newstribune.com/articles/2005/03/10/sports/0310050020.txt
Missouri Department of Conservation. “Conservation Department needs help managing Missouri's most unusual fish.” Jefferson City News Tribune, 10 March 2005.
The fish in question is the paddlefish. Also known as the "spoonbill catfish," Polydon spathula is unrelated to real catfish.
http://www.yankton.net/stories/031105/opEd_20050311036.shtml
Gov. Brian Schweitzer. “Missouri River: Who Pays The Price?” Yankton Press & Dakotan, 11 March 2005.
The upper basin reservoirs -- in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota -- have been drawn down to record lows, and there is currently no snow to replenish them.
http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2005/03/12/news/state/sta04.txt
“Drought disaster declared for part of N.D.” Bismark Tribune, 12 March 2005.
Gov. John Hoeven has declared a drought disaster for western North Dakota and the upper Missouri River basin.
*also appeared in the Yankton Press & Dakotan, 12 March 2005.
http://www.helenair.com/articles/2005/03/14/top/a01031405_01.txt
Eve Bryon. “Slow & Steady.” Helena Independent Record, 14 March 2005.
Releases of about 4,100 cfs are needed below the Canyon Ferry Dam for a healthy fishery downstream on the Missouri River. The minimum flow is 2,800 cfs; as of Friday, the outflow was 2,802 cfs.
http://www.jamestownsun.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=26441&SectionID=31&SubSectionID=98&S=1
“Low lake levels could hurt smelt spawn.” Jamestown Sun, 14 March 2005.
The low water levels will be ‘‘very bad’’ for smelt in Lake Sakakawea, said Greg Power, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Missouri River specialist. ‘‘There’s nothing good about it.’’
*also appeared in the Grand Forks Herald, 11 March 2005.
Brian Schweitzer. “Editorial: Missouri River: Missouri could pay for its poor water management decisions.” St. Louis Post Dispatch, 14 March 2005.
Missourians and fellow citizens of the Missouri River Basin, I'm afraid I bring bad news. The upper-basin reservoirs - in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota - have been drawn down to record lows, and currently there is no snow to replenish them.
*also appeared in the Billings Gazette, 14 March 2005.
*also appeared in the Grand Forks Herald, 11 March 2005.