May 15, 2024

Report provided by:

Matthew Meadows, Assistant Watermaster

The Army Corps of Engineers flood release requirement at Pine Flat will end at midnight, on May 16, 2024 at 00:01 hours no flood release target below Crescent Weir.

All releases into the Kings River are only sufficient to meet irrigation demands of Kings River member units and make scheduled water deliveries. All water delivered through the North Fork into Mendota Pool are to meet irrigation demands.

Pine Flat releases will continue to be adjusted accordingly to meet irrigation orders and changing conditions. Releases will continue to be adjusted accordingly to meet irrigation orders and changing conditions, including the potential to return to flood release requirements this season depending on future runoff and weather conditions.

All data is provisional and subject to revision.

We will circulate updates as conditions change.

 

Status of flows below Pine Flat Dam as of 0700 May 15, 2024.

11,000 cfs (estimated) Pre Project Piedra (Full natural flow at Piedra, 3 miles downstream of Pine Flat Dam. Includes Mill and Hughes Creek flows)

7,720 cfs Total Order at Pine Flat.  (Order includes local demands and estimated channel losses)

7,690 cfs Pine Flat Reservoir Release

30 cfs Mill and Hughes Creeks (Unobstructed gauge several miles below Pine Flat Reservoir)

4,400 cfs flow at Reedley Narrows (approximately three miles upstream of the City of Reedley, Capacity per ACOE Reservoir Control Manual 13,000 cfs)

3,350 cfs flow Below Peoples Weir (approximately one mile downstream of Highway 99, Capacity per ACOE Reservoir Control Manual 11,000 cfs)

830 cfs, South Fork of Kings River, release below Army Weir

580 cfs North Fork of Kings River, to meet current irrigation demand and satisfy the 200 cfs target flood release below Crescent Weir (approximately three miles downstream of Highway 41)

 

Status of Pine Flat as of 2400 hours May 14, 2024

922,404 acre-feet Pine Flat storage (Capacity 1,000,000 acre-feet)

180,953 acre-feet Upstream storage (Capacity 251,900 acre-feet)

148,543 acre-feet vacant storage space on the Kings River system

 

Matthew Meadows

Assistant Watermaster

Kings River Water Association

4888 E. Jensen Ave

Fresno, CA 93725