Current Priorities
Stop the Cycle
Friends of the Bighorn River would like to see the Bureau of Reclamation stop managing the river for the Twenty Foot Window. The last two years have shown us that this management style results in minimal to sub-minimal flows in the fall, winter and early spring and record high lake elevations followed by extremely high, dangerous and economically stifling river releases in late spring and early summer.
Independent Review
The Bureau of Reclamation has been authorized by Congress to manage Yellowtail Dam for hydro-electric power, irrigation, and flood control. Yet, during water years 2008 and 2009, which were normal water years, we have seen approximately 10 months of minimal or sub-minimal flows in the river followed by 2 months of extremely high flows and flooding. The river economy, and the world-class trout fishery, cannot endure another year of these management practices. Friends of the Bighorn River would like to see an immediate independent review of the MTAO Yellowtail Dam reservoir management practices.
River RMP
The National Park Service and Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area have a current resource management plan for the lake. Given that the three miles of river under the Park's jurisdiction accounts for more visitors and more revenues, it should stand to reason the should also have a resource management plan for the river. Friends of the Bighorn River urges BCNRA to develop an RMP, with public feedback, as soon as possbile.
