Corps Increases Releases From Oahe Dam

PIERRE, SD - Water is rushing from the Oahe Dam into the Missouri River north of Pierre.

The Corps of Engineers is releasing more water out of the Oahe Dam. The Corps increased the flow on Tuesday; additional increases are planned for Wednesday and later in the week. Winter snowmelt and spring rains have raised some of the Missouri River reservoirs close to record levels.

The South Dakota Emergency Operations Center is now open to help coordinate the response to the increased flows on the river.

Corps officials say the releases will be at record-high levels, which means water levels on the river will go up significantly in the Pierre and Fort Pierre area and in the area downstream from Fort Randall Dam to below Gavins Point Dam.

People who live along the river are encouraged to take basic precautions to protect themselves and their property from flooding.