Reclamation cautions public as it plans annual drawdown of Alcova Reservoir

The Bureau of Reclamation will be lowering the water level in Alcova Reservoir after the irrigation season draws to a close. The annual drawdown of the reservoir will begin on Friday, October 1.

Boat owners and recreationists should be aware of the declining level of Alcova Reservoir and take proper precautions.

During October, the reservoir water surface elevation will be lowered about 10 feet, at a rate of approximately four inches per day. The reservoir’s normal winter operating range is between 5,487 and 5,489 feet. Water released in the drawdown of Alcova Reservoir will be restored downstream in Glendo Reservoir.

Alcova Dam is on the North Platte River about 35 miles southwest of Casper, Wyoming. The dam forms a reservoir from which water is diverted into Casper Canal for irrigation of lands in the Kendrick Project near Casper.

Winter releases from Alcova Reservoir generally provide power generation and relocate storage water into Glendo Reservoir for delivery the following spring and summer. Alcova Power Plant is located just downstream of Alcova Dam and has two 20.7 megawatt generating units.