Water level and Water temperature

Ranger Programs at Dent

On Saturday, July 31, and Saturday, August 7, 2010, Ranger Rich Mucci will host a Sunset Hike at 7:00 p.m.  Hikers should meet at the Dent Acres trailhead near site 50 to enjoy a roundtrip 3.5 mile scenic evening hike to Dent Group Camp, then back to Dent Acres.  Trail difficulty is easy to moderate, with a few steep, shorts hills.  The trail meanders through Douglas fir, Ponderosa Pine, and Western Red Cedar forests.  Participants are advised to bring insect repellant, sunscreen, plenty of water, a trail snack, hat, and camera in order to photograph sunsets on the lake.

Enjoying a warm day on the lake!

Go jump in the lake!

Dworshak Reservoir will start dropping Tuesday July 6

Water managers are going to start ramping up Dworshak outflows to an avg of 7.5Kcfs on July 5th, Monday night - outflows are presently at 4.5Kcfs. Depending on the rain, the affect on the reservoir level will depend on the rain. The level of Dworshak Reservoir will start dropping Tuesday. How fast depends on the weather and river water temperatures. Outflow decisions are made based on the current water temps at three key locations, Clearwater River temp in Lewiston, Snake River at Anatone and the Snake at the face of Granite dam. Here is a  link to that data and a graph showing the various river temps.

http://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/tmt/documents/ops/temp/summer_ops.html

Here is the Lewiston Tribune blog on the subject:

http://www.lmtribune.com/blogs/?s=dworshak&x=0&y=0&=Go

“Each summer Dworshak is dropped about 80 feet below full pool as water is pulled from the reservoir to cool the lower Snake to aid juvenile fall Chinook and returning adult steelhead. The aim is to keep the Snake River at or near 68 degrees. Without the flows and sometimes with them, temperatures sometimes reach into the 70s that can be lethal for salmon and steelhead.”

Freeman Creek Campground Water is Operational

The Freeman Creek potable water system has passed DEQ certification - the signs can come down and people can start drinking the water.

Corps Sponsors Numerous Local Presentations

Monday, June 21, 1:30-2:30 p.m. — “Man Overboard!” water rescue and poster coloring (child-oriented activity) at
the Weippe Public Library, located in Weippe, Idaho.

Tuesday, June 22, 3-6 p.m. — “Man Overboard!” water rescue and poster coloring (child-oriented activity) at the
Orofino City Park farmer’s market.

Saturday, June 26, starting at 7 p.m.— water safety cartoons for children, including a sequence of “Bobber the
Water Safety Dog” cartoons produced by the Corps of Engineers, and Disney’s “Wild About Safety with Timon and
Pumbaa: Safety Smart in the Water!” at the Dent Acres Campground group shelter.

Saturday, July 3, starting at 11:30 a.m. — a Nimiipuu (Nez Perce people) cultural program about traditional fishing,
hosted at Dworshak Dam Visitor Center.

Tuesday, July 13, 3-6 p.m. — “Let’s Make Electricity!” and create a hexaflexagon (child-oriented activity) at
Orofino City Park Farmer’s Market.

Friday, July 16, 3-4:30 p.m. — “Man Overboard!” water rescue, one of five child-oriented water safety education
stations, hosted by the Clearwater Memorial Public Library, located in Orofino, Idaho.

Saturday, July 17, starting at 11:30 a.m. — Mike Tylznski will demonstrate the Native American ancient art of flint
knapping by creating historically accurate stone knives, tools and blades, hosted at Dworshak Dam Visitor Center.

Tuesday, August 10, 3-6 p.m. — “What’s in This Rock?” is a child-oriented program about rocks and minerals,
taking place at Orofino City Park Farmer’s Market.

Saturday, August 21, starting at 7 p.m. — “The Mastermind Dam Builders,” a natural history program about the
dam building expertise of beavers, hosted at Dent Acres Campground group shelter.

Dworshak Nutrient Enhancement Public Meeting - Public encouraged to attend

The fish fertilization project is continuing this year. The data from last year indicated it is having a positive impact on the aquatic ecosystem of the lake. Some folks think it is not doing any good and that it may be causing weird algae in the lake and possible hatchery diseases.

The Dworshak Reservoir Nutrient Enhancement Project will be the focus of a public meeting scheduled Wednesday, June 30, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Orofino High School gymnasium.

The public in encouraged to attend to learn about the project, ask questions and voice any concerns. For more information concerning the meeting, contact Sean Wilson, fisheries research biologist, at (208) 799-5010.

Idaho Department of Fish & Game and the US Army Corps of Engineers began the five-year pilot project in 2007 to restore the reservoir's declining productivity and to benefit fisheries.

Big Eddy Marina Looks sooooo.... nice when it is full. Not too many boats yet!

Wednesday Dock Lucks

Weather permitting (Officially canceled for tonight June 16) we have started the Wednesday night Dock Luck gatherings up for the summer. Bring some food to share and a beverage of choice and join us at the Merry's Bay Destination Dock for great foods every Wednesday. If you don't know any one come just come on in and introduce your self and meet some fun boat folks. Some times there is even a game which is a DRA fund raiser, but always too much good food. (And an occasional heated political discussion that my wife says I should not get into....) Pirate night is my favorite!

Starts up about 5:30 PM every Wednesday thru the summer, eating starts 6 - 6:30.

Take a look at the menu / theme list and check out some of last years fun photos!

Down on the Farm
Pirate Night
Hobo Cuisine
Christmas in July
Mexican
School Colors
Mardi Gras

New Dworshak Maps

The Corps has recently released a new visitor map for the reservoir. I have them posted for your viewing. The map comes in two parts in PDF format. You can zoom in for details! The maps have the Camps, Destination Docks, Safe Harbor Docks, Floating Rest Rooms, Trails, Roads, Phone Numbers and Ramp Useable Water Elevations along with other info. Very nice maps! They are large files and may take a moment to load.

West Map (Dam) 742 KB PDF
East Map (Grandad) 475 KB PDF

Visitor Center Program Additions

-Saturday, July 3, 2010--Dworshak Dam Visitor Center will host a Nez Perce cultural interpretive program given by a Nez Perce National Historical Park presenter at 11:30am.  Contact person: Connie Grant-Howell

-Lewis and Clark State College Summer Non Credit Workshop Program offers, "An Evening with an Entomologist"
Thursday, July 15 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm; at the Dworshak Dam Visitor Center. Tuition: $20.00 for one adult and one child. Richard Whitten narrates his video "One of a Kind Rain Forest Wonders" about wild insects from Central America. Pre registration is required, contact Orofino outreach center at 208-476-5731 or check out the web site.

Reservoir is Full

Dworshak water level is at 1599.4 as of 6/16. That is inches below full pull. The prediction of the lake not filling because of low snow pack has been changed by the rain. It has been a very wet month. My gauge in Orofino recorded 1.6 inches on day last week and .5 the next day! Water is now being spilled over the dam! The lake will be full for about a month this season! I am sure it will drop quickly come July 4th.

The water temperature is approximately 60 degrees at the surface as of 6/1. I have requested the Corps look into why the site does not get updated more frequently. Folks want to know the water temp!

Great Weather Web Site

Just want to share a NOAA weather web site that has time line graphs of temps, windchill, dewpoint, humidity, wind speed, direction, gusts, precip potential, sky cover, thunder, rain possibility and rain amount! All on one easy to read page. You can get the info for a specific area. Check out the point forecast graphs for Orofino.

Update - 6/16 - I was provided this site as another good Dworshak weather info page, has the data from the station at Dent!

Dent-Dworshak Agrimet Station

Flint Knap Demo at Visitor Center

On Saturday, July 17th at 11:30 am Mike Tylzynski, an expert in the art of flint knapping, will host a program at Dworshak Dam Visitor Center. Flint knapping is the process of making stone tools, like arrowheads, projectile points and hand axes. This demo is open to the public. Contact person: Connie Grant-Howell at the Dworshak Visitor Center. 208-476-1279

For Your Information

-For your information as to what is that going on over there.......The Damascus/Family Bible Churches--water skiing camps will be held on Dworshak again this year as usual. If you are on the reservoir you will notice them filling the mini camps at 10.7 & 10.9 during July 2-17, 2010.

-For your information as to what is that going on over there....On June 22, 2010 the annual Clearwater County Sheriff's Office personal watercraft training at Bruce's Eddy/Q Road. The training is for law enforcement personnel and is not open to the public.

Dworshak Drowning 5/29

According to Clearwater County Sheriff's Department, a Washington family from Latah, WA lost their five-year-old son Saturday, May 29 when he slipped into Dworshak Reservoir and drowned. The family had been camped near Elk Cr for a few days. The five year old boy was last seen at the shore of the reservoir throwing rocks in the water for the family dog.

The Clearwater County Search and Rescue Team responded to the search with dive rescue and ATV teams. Idaho Department of Fish and Game assisted with transportation of personnel to the campground and Corps of Engineers’ park rangers and resource managers also responded to the incident. The dive team located the boy about 16 feet below the surface, near where he had last been seen on the shore. All efforts to revive the boy were unsuccessful.

The family name has not been released pending notification of other family members.

Local Libraries to Host Water Safety Program

There will be a Corps of Engineers kid oriented water safety presentation at the Weippe Library on Monday, June 21, 2010 at 1:30 pm.

The Orofino Library will host the water safety program on Friday, July 16, 2010 between 3 and 5 pm. There will be 5 repeated presentations of the information during that time giving you a good opportunity for your children to attend.

COE News Items 4/16/10

Road Work -In the next few weeks, line-of-sight brush clearing will be taking place along the road to Big Eddy Marina. Boaters should use extreme caution while driving to Big Eddy.  The project is to improve viewing distance around the corners.

Anchors Reset - The Dworshak Maintenance crew has completed important dock work ahead of the boating season.  The Fred's Bay safe harbor dock, and the Indian Creek and Drift Creek destination docks have all had their anchors re-set.  This should alleviate the runaway dock problems we had last year. (Runaway dock means the anchor came loose and it floated from its location.) The runaway floating toilet offshore from Dent Acres has been refurbished, and a new anchor will be laced in the coming weeks.

Destination Dock - Summer will be here soon!

New ladders have been purchased to repair ones that have broken or fallen off the floating docks. The Corps asked if the DRA would like to volunteer to help / install them. Yes we will do that but the water needs to be warmer than 45 degrees!

(Editor note: The maintenance crew at Dworshak has really excelled over the last few seasons. If you get a chance to thank them it would be well deserved.)

Volunteers Needed - The COE is looking for a maintenance volunteer couple to perform light maintenance around the dam area (Bruce, Viewpoint, Visitor Center, etc).  They would get a free RV hookup at our lovely "picnic glen" host site, make new friends, and build a resume.  Please call Park Ranger Connie Grant-Howell for more information: 208-476-1279.

Nutrient Program -The reservoir nutrient addition project is set to resume in May for year four (of the five year pilot project).  They are seeing some positive results in the zooplankton and phytoplankton communities of the reservoir.  We have also added one more water quality sampling station in the Northfork below Dworshak Dam.

Maniac Run - Come out and cheer them on. The public is invited to watch the Maniac Dam Run, from 10am to noon on
Saturday, May 1, 2010. The runners will start and end at Dworshak Dam Visitors Center. They will go across Dworshak Dam down the Quarry Road (The "A" road) and back up the marina road to the Visitors Center. (Only runners and security personnel will be allowed at the top of the dam. Runners cannot take a back back across the dam, only a water bottle and camera, because of national security concerns?) There will be concessions.

Dworshak - The Boat

You may see this boat on the lake. The boat is an old Coast Guard boat from Humboldt Bay in California.  It was of the first designed to rollover in high surf and right itself.

The Coast Guard excessed the boat and it was picked up by the local Corps in 1999 and named The Dworshak.  It has been modified with a push knee and both diesel engines heads were rebuilt..  This boat serves as "Tug" power to push and pull very heavy items on the lake.  It does have a tendency to lean quite a bit under heavy load and make a very large wake.

Reservoir Fertilization Project - Ongoing (As reported to me by the Corps)

The fertilization project is continuing this year.  The data from last year indicated it is having a positive impact on the aquatic ecosystem of the lake.  There have been a few challenges that the project is linked to the Hatchery disease problems.  IDFG and USFWS has investigated and found no conclusive links to the fertilization..  The Hatchery is experiencing an outbreak of IHN disease.  This is a new strain that impacted the hatchery this year.  IHN comes from returning adults that spawn and die in the Clearwater - the Hatchery takes it's water from the river.  Just as a comparison, the State run Clearwater Hatchery gets its water from the reservoir via a pipeline - they have not experienced IHN outbreaks.  The one thing that both hatcheries report is that they are seeing more algae in their raceways.  Timing for this observed change appears there might be a link to the reservoir fertilization program, but there is no conclusive evidence as of yet. Downstream monitoring to evaluate river conditions and algae growth has been initiated..

This is a link to a one page document from the Corps describing the project status. Here is a link to an extensive complicated in depth document in PDF format about the project, it is large (86 pages) and will take a minute to open.

Fishing Derbys

I was asked about fish derbys on the lake. I appreciate requests like that for information folks would like to see on the web site. Took some doing but I found it! The following table was provided by Idaho Fish and Game. These are the permit applications they have received to date. Earlier I received info that the only two tourneys were Sept and October, but the F&G adds three and does not have the September 11 event? The information from two sources appears to be different. Sorry its the best I have.....

The info below is the first I received.

The Superior Bass Fishing Association (SBFA) maintains a web site.On their web there are two events listed for Dworshak along with other tournaments in the region. Click on the 2010 Major Fishing Events link on the lower left of the SBFA site to see the list on their site. Now that the F&G added their info, I also found the Clearwater Bass Anglers web site.

The planned SBFA events for Dworshak are the Clearwater Bass Open on September 11 and the Superior Bass Grand Champ October 2 & 3. The web site has more information and entry forms.

The SBFA and Clearwater Bass Anglers web sites have contact info.

Idaho Free Fishing Day is June 12 this year.

Water Temperature Web Site

The Dworshak water temps web site is now being updated with the most recent data. As expected it is still very cold!

Canyon Creek Campground
Picnic Tables Vandalized at Dworshak Reservoir 4/1/10

A picnic table was half-burned and completely destroyed at campsite number one, and another table is missing from campsite two. In addition, a bulletin board kiosk roof was damaged, and a broken truck window along with mailboxes and other trash was left in the vandal’s fire pit.

Vandalism of Canyon Creek Table (Corps of Engineers Photo)

Vandalism like this is senseless and costs everyone. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers park rangers need help obtaining information about picnic tables that were vandalized at Canyon Creek campground located on Dworshak Reservoir.

The Corps does have a program that can award up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of individuals causing this damage. Hopefully one of the low lifes that was involved in this will rat on his partners in crime.

Witnesses or others with information about the Canyon Creek vandalism are encouraged to use the toll-free number, 1-866-413-7970, 24 hours a day, to report the incident. Callers can remain anonymous.

Annual St Pat's Dock Gathering The marina is still empty but a few folks enjoyed the St Patrick's Day party at the dock.The annual corned beef and cabbage dock party is the traditional opening of the boating season on Dworshak, weather permitting... we have had to shovel the docks in the past! Hal Joseph, Charles Wandag, Montana Lozar

Recreation facilities open at Dworshak for early season outdoor fun

Enjoy warm spring weather and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities in scenic north Idaho at facilities operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Dworshak Dam and Reservoir.

The following boat ramps are currently open: Freeman Creek, Bruce’s Eddy #1, Dent Acres, and Big Eddy.

The Big Eddy day use area offers attractions to young and old. Big Eddy amenities include a swim beach, playground, picnic shelters and barbecue grills. The Big Eddy hiking trail offers opportunities to exercise, bird watch, picnic, and photograph nature while taking in views of the lake.

The Merry’s Bay day use area, which will open on April 1, offers secluded picnicking, shoreline fishing and hiking opportunities.

Also on April 1, those seeking a primitive camping experience can visit Dam View and Canyon Creek where primitive camping is available at no charge.

Early season camping will begin at Dent Acres Campground on April 8. Site fees are $10 per day by self-deposit registration. Regular season camping will start May 20 with full hook-up sites available for $18 per night. Reservations for the regular season can be made by calling (877) 444-6777, or by visiting the website at www.recreation.gov.

General spring turkey hunting season starts April 15. Hunting is allowed on all Corps property around the reservoir except in developed recreation areas. Be aware that ATV operation is prohibited off of designated roads, and behind gates or fences. Please, follow all safety precautions while recreating in the forest during the hunting season.

When boating on the reservoir, remember that lake levels can change quickly. Boat operators should be sure to keep the fluctuating reservoir levels in mind
when securing their vessels to shore. Although this spring is warmer than usual, the water in Dworshak is still very cold from the snowmelt and runoff. Always be aware of hypothermia and wear a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device.

School groups are also invited to visit Dworshak Dam Visitor Center where they can learn about hydropower, and the natural and cultural history of the area. The Center offers a variety of interpretive displays, tours, water safety activities, and historical movies, including the popular “Last of the Log Drives” and “Dworshak Dam Construction.”

For updated water level and boat ramp information, call (800) 321-3198. For more information regarding facilities access and current conditions call (208) 476-1261, or stop by Dworshak Dam Visitor Center, which is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Annual Dock Degoosing

This previous bright warm sunny weekend was a perfect opportunity for some of the DRA folks to go for a boat ride with pressure washer and do some dock spring cleaning.

Grandma Annie, James and Montana

The docks were not as bad as in previous years, the goose droppings were minimal but the bird parts were abundant. The local Bald and Golden Eagles have decided this is a good place to dine on some unsuspecting prey. Bones and feathers and some un-identifiable parts were every where...they wash easier than goose piles. The whole family got into the wash.

Dad Chris and Montana	Mom Shauna
Grandpa Ed and James

Photos and News

As boating season gets under way, the web site activity will pick up. If you have an idea, question, news or if you have some photos of Dworshak activities you would like to see on the web please send them to me with a story line for posting consideration. DRA

Houseboat Repairs

Nothing works on an old boat, except the owner. Just so you know what was going on... once again one of the old houseboats was in dry dock for repairs. A permit is required and obtained from the Corps of Engineers. You can see it posted on the trailer beam below. The boat was on the lower parking area at the Big Eddy ramp for a few days. The aluminum transom was welded and motor and outdrive resealed over the course of a week. I met a lot of fishermen with good fishing tales and not so good fishing tales as I worked on the boat.

Sunrise on the houseboat MaryLou, Big Eddy Marina building in background

Master Boat Mechanic? Uh huh....

Dent Ramp Open

The Dent Acres boat ramp opened for use Monday, March 1. Here is summary of Dworshak recreation facilities.

Water Temperature Web Site

I was provided a link to Dworshak water temps by the Corps. It appears the the last update was in December but hopefully there will be an update soon. My reading this weekend had the water about 45 degree F at one foot down at the marina.

Spring Rainbow on the Lake Photo by Paul Pence

Dworshak State Park Back in Business (2/26)

The park board unanimously agreed Thursday, to reinstate Dworshak State Park.  The department indicates there will be reduced services and possibly lower customer satisfaction at parks state wide. The plan for Dworshak is to have one full-time assistant park manager - down from three before the park closed. There will be fewer seasonal employees as well. Management oversight for Dworshak will be provided from Hells Gate State Park. Hells Gate will also handle dock leases for the Big Eddy marina.

Clearwater County will help regulate dock levels as reservoir levels change and provide other assistance.
Inmates at the Idaho Correctional Institution in Orofino will help clean restrooms and help with the mowing.

The parks department and county indicated they will also be looking for volunteers to help some situations and duties.

Merry's Bay Comfort Station

There is now a floating porta potty in Merry's Bay.