PRINCETON DAM

 

In early May 2023, the DNR implemented a seasonal gate operation strategy plan for the Princeton Dam. The current plan is set to run from May 2023 through June 2026. Please see the bottom of this page for a full copy of the Princeton Dam Operation Plan. Below you will find current updates regarding gates, flow, and other pertinent information to the Princeton Dam.

 

​The below updates are sent from Uriah Monday with the DNR. 

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5 gates are currently open at the Princeton Dam

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March 23, 2026

Following the gate opening on March 12, levels at the dam remained right around 8.0 until snow melt began in earnest.  Today, department staff visited the dam and the gage read 8.26.  The final gate was opened today.

 

Flows in the river system are expected to continue to increase as snow melt works its way through the river system; the National weather Service predicts the river will crest on Friday and then slowly diminish.  Based on past observations, even without precipitation, it will likely take two weeks after the crest for flows to diminish back to amounts seen today.

 

For that reason, the gates will all remain open for the foreseeable future and there will likely be no visit to the dam until the week of April 6 at the earliest.  Staff will continue to monitor flow rates at the USGS gage.

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March 12, 2026 

Today staff visited the dam, gage read 8.20 and flow at the USGS/NWS gage was about 1030 CFS.  This warranted opening two gates.  At this time, four gates (of five) are fully open.  I expect level at the dam to decrease to about 7.5 by early next week.  We will continue to monitor the USGS/NWS flow information, but at this time I do not expect further adjustments either this week or next.  I anticipate sending an update email mid- to late next week.

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March 11, 2026

All, sorry for the late update:  staff will be visiting the dam this week, and are likely to open one gate.  Unless you hear differently from me, assume that this is the case.

 

We will continue to monitor flows via using the USGS/NWS gage information at the Princeton bridge to inform when/if other adjustments should be made next week.

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March 1, 2026

March 1 marks the beginning of the spring gate setting season.  The operation plan (attached, for reference) indicates all gates open from March 1 until around Memorial Day (with exceptions for levels below 7.3 at the dam or above 8.1 at the dam).  As of 2/26/2026, the level at the dam and flow was approximately 7.65 and flow was approximately 700 CFS. This amount of flow is relatively low, and opening all gates would drop the levels below 7.3.  At this time, two gates are open, and the setting will remain like this until at least Monday, March 9.  There are several chances for rainfall this week and next, and likely at least one additional gate will be opened on or after March 9.  Beyond this, river flows will be monitored to determine if/when further openings would occur.