Recreational flow releases have been scheduled on the Scrambled Eggs Section of the Weber River for June 4, June 18, July 2, and July 9 of this year, subject to change if unexpected conditions occur. These are the first releases of their kind on this reach, following years of negotiations and studies that led to the issuance of a new 40-year federal license for the hydropower project. Flows will unfortunately be lower volume than expected this year. American Whitewater advocated for these releases throughout the long and challenging dam relicensing process with the support of local volunteers. Here is what you need to know to enjoy the releases:

     - The flow releases will slowly ramp up and back down, and provide a peak stable flow from 10am until 2pm.

     - Flows will unfortunately likely be only around 200 cfs this year (more on that below). This is a low but boatable flow. 

     - If no one uses some of the releases they may be scaled back the following year. 

     - Park in the locations noted on the AW page for the river: do not block gates.

     - Use caution when exiting the river above the diversion dam and do not touch the diversion dam structures or fencing. Just walk out on the USFS road.  

     - Please make every effort to have a safe and respectful visit to the river, and study up on the logistics at the AW page for the river. 

     - Note that there may be a game camera at the put in or portage to count use.

     - Enjoy! 

Releases can be scheduled throughout the spring until July 15th. American Whitewater, the power company, and other stakeholders will meet each year to schedule the relases to maximize the volume and recreational value of the releases. The inflows to the hydropower project are heavily modified by upstream water storage dams and agricultural diversions, and the hydropower project can only release (rather than divert them) their inflows because they have no ability to store and release water. In some years there may be early releases scheduled that capitalize on natural runoff and releases could be quite high, and in others there may be late season releases that make use of irrigation flows and could be on the low side. This year, for the first time, irrigators are calling for 100 cfs less water than they historically have, ostensibly because of drought. This came as a surprise, and will reduce hydropower and recreational benefits on the river this summer. One unfortunate result is that our releases will likely be around 200 rather than 300+cfs. 

We are very excited to see these flows return to the Weber. In dry years the releases we negotiated might be the only flows above some very low base flow that this river reach sees, which will provide some much needed ecological value. The releases will also extend the recreational season and improve recreational experiences on this river, in a region in which many rivers are severely impacted by dams and diversions. Enjoy the Weber!