Granite County reduces dam outflow to 35 cubic feet per second, will continue monitoring

Granite County commissioners voted Tuesday to reduce the controlled outflow from a local dam to 35 cubic feet per second (cfs) and to continue monitoring river flows and weather conditions.

The change came after staff presented recent inflow and outflow measurements and public-agency comments recommending a cautious approach as temperatures rise. Commissioners approved the motion to lower the release to 35 cfs and to keep monitoring, with the option to adjust upward if inflows increase.

The decision followed a short discussion about whether the release should be set at 30 cfs or 35 cfs. An unnamed agency representative, Peter, told the commissioners, “Our take is that there isn't much snow up high and, yeah, starting to match inflows and outflows is always a great idea.” Commissioners then instructed staff to lower the outflow to 35 cfs and to continue monitoring for changes.

The motion was made and seconded during the public meeting; the county recorded a voice vote approving the change. County staff and external agency representatives will continue to track snowpack and streamflow and report back if conditions require further adjustment.

The commissioners did not adopt any new permanent rule; the action was an operational adjustment intended to align releases with current conditions and to reduce the risk of mismatched inflows and outflows as temperatures rise.

County staff said they would keep coordinating with agency partners to ensure releases match inflows and would return to the commission if conditions change materially.