The Wyoming Area Office of Reclamation in Mills, Wyoming, announced that it will be lowering the water level in the Guernsey Reservoir in preparation of the annual silt run. This operation provides silt-laden water to Goshen, Gering-Fort Laramie, and Pathfinder Irrigation Districts under contract with Reclamation.

How the Silt Run Works

As the silt-laden water gets diverted into irrigation canals, the water slows down and the silt sinks to the bottom of each canal. This works as a temporary sealant that helps minimize the seepage out of the bottom and the sides of the canal prisms.

The release of water from Glendo Reservoir will be gradually decreased from approximately 5,000 cubic feet per second (CFS) to a flow of between 2,000 CFS and 1,000 CFS on Sunday, July 5 at noon. The decreased flow will cause a rapid decline of the Guernsey Reservoir level of approximately 25 feet, beginning the evening of July 5 and continuing through July 10.

By Wednesday, July 8, the boat ramps at Guernsey Reservoir will no longer be usable due to the low reservoir level. Water being released from Glendo Reservoir will flow through Guernsey Reservoir, flushing silt from Guernsey Reservoir into the canals of downstream irrigators. The silt run will officially begin on July 11 and is anticipated to continue through July 24.

Beginning at noon on July 24, the release of water from Glendo Reservoir will be rapidly increased to refill Guernsey Reservoir. The level of Guernsey Reservoir is expected to be suitable for boating again by the morning of July 27.

Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.