The Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) has proposed to reduce flows from Jackson Lake Dam beginning on May 10th to 50 cfs, well below the 280 cfs minimum determined by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Flows from Jackson Lake have never gone below 280 cfs since the 1980s, when our chapter, working alongside Senator John Turner, Wyoming Governor Mike Sullivan, Wyoming State agencies, and the BOR, advocated for the establishment of a State of Wyoming storage right to guarantee minimum flow releases of 280 cfs from Jackson Lake Dam for the protection of this area’s native fishery and aquatic ecosystem. 

While the State of Wyoming has made an extraordinary commitment to use their water storage account for the first time in history to ensure that flows are not cut to 50 cfs on May 10th, their water right is not projected to get us all the way through the spring. The health of our Snake River Headwaters watershed - one of the most resilient and intact cutthroat trout fisheries in the lower 48 and is a core economic driver, generating over $20M in fishing-based revenue annually – is at stake and hangs in the balance. 

Please join the State of Wyoming, GTNP, agency partners, conservation nonprofits, elected officials, local businesses, and the community of Jackson Hole in voicing our concern regarding the health of our watershed and cutthroat trout fishery should flows be reduced below the minimum of 280 cfs. The impacts would be felt beyond our community, as these waters flow through the treasured public lands of Grand Teton National Park and the Bridger-Teton National Forest, a national Wild and Scenic corridor, and benefit the people of Wyoming and the millions of visitors to our area annually from across the United States and beyond.

For more information about TU’s position, read our official statement in our post and FAQs. 

Here’s how you can take action:

• Write to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and the Wyoming Delegation and highlight the following points.
  • Let them know why this issue is important to you as a TU member and affects not only Wyoming residents but the entire nation (personalize this statement as best as you’re able!).
  • Ask that they take immediate steps to ensure minimum flows are released from Jackson Lake Dam, this spring and into the future, including:
    • A commitment from Department of Interior agencies (Bureau of Reclamation and Grand Teton National Park) to work with the State of Wyoming to ensure minimum flows are met this spring and into the future.
    • Funding and assistance from the DOI to secure additional water needed this spring for minimum flows, and additional funding to replenish Wyoming’s storage account so that water is available in the near future.
    • A commitment for DOI agencies to work more collaboratively, as well as with additional stakeholders in the watershed, to proactively ensure that flow requirements for a healthy fishery and aquatic resource are met in the future. This includes participation in and support for the new formal watershed group for the Snake River Headwaters.
• Sign the business and community-led petition.
• Attend the annual Bureau of Reclamation Jackson Lake Operations Public Information Meeting on May 18th from 3 to 5 pm at the Teton County Library. Click here to join the meeting on Teams.
• Share this action alert with friends and family.

Please remember to be respectful in your comments and share your personal experience and insights. The tone we use is important as we seek to find solutions and maintain and strengthen relationships with all of the above-mentioned agencies, entities, and water users. 

Learn more about this issue by reading TU's Frequently Asked Questions document about Jackson Lake Releases.