Lewistown Field Office to lower water level at Dry Blood Reservoir
Organization:
BLM Office:
Media Contact:
threatening Dry Blood Reservoir in
Petroleum County. (BLM photo)
BILLINGS, MT. – The Bureau of Land Management Lewistown Field Office is currently in the process of lowering the water level of Dry Blood Reservoir.
Dry Blood Reservoir is located approximately 15 miles north of Winnett, Montana off Valentine Road.
Wind caused wave action is causing erosion that is undercutting existing slope protection, and threating to damage the outlet controls of the reservoir. There is no danger of the existing dam structure failing.
The lowered water level will allow the field office to place additional rocks along the bank to stop the erosion and prevent the outlet controls from being damaged to the point they would no longer function.
The Lewistown Field Office has been in contact with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks about lowering the water level of the reservoir and the potential impacts that this will have on the existing fishery. It will be necessary to keep the water low until the erosion can be repaired and it is very likely that fish in the reservoir will not survive though next winter.
It is unfortunate that the water level in the reservoir has to be lowered, potentially impacting the quality of the fishing; however, if this action isn’t taken further damage would occur requiring a longer repair time at a greater cost.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.