Water conservation will protect fall salmon spawning

ARIEL — Due to low snowpack and dry spring and early summer conditions across the Pacific Northwest, PacifiCorp will be closing the Saddle Dam boat ramp on Yale Reservoir for the remainder of the season, beginning July 15. Saddle Dam Park will remain open for other recreational uses such as picnicking and swimming.

The Yale Reservoir dispersed shoreline camping program will also close for the remainder of the season beginning July 14. The Yale Park boat ramp will remain available for day use access to Yale Reservoir for the rest of the recreational season.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license for PacifiCorp reservoirs requires the company to maintain certain water flows downstream of Merwin Dam to protect and support federally listed fish species including Chinook and Coho salmon and Steelhead trout. To meet these requirements and manage dry conditions, PacifiCorp will balance water levels between the Swift, Yale and Merwin reservoirs to keep recreation access available where possible. As a part of this effort, Yale Reservoir will be lowered the week of July 13.

We understand that this may be an inconvenience, and we appreciate your understanding. We anticipate there may be more recreational impacts prior to Labor Day if these dry conditions continue. For updates, check our website.

About PacifiCorp

PacifiCorp is one of the lowest-cost electrical providers in the United States, serving two million customers. The company operates as Rocky Mountain Power in Idaho, Utah and Wyoming and as Pacific Power in California, Oregon and Washington. PacifiCorp provides safe and reliable service through a vast, integrated system of generation and transmission that connects communities as the largest regulated utility owner of wind power in the West. For more information, visit PacifiCorp.com.