Fontenelle slows the river's flow

Residents may finally see the Green River start to shrink in the coming days as releases from the Fontenelle Reservoir decrease.

According to a schedule from the Bureau of Reclamation, releases dropped by 1,000 cubic feet per second Monday, decreasing from 9,000 cfs to 8,000 cfs. Releases are set to further decrease Wednesday to 6,500 cfs after 4 p.m.

Heather Patno, a hydraulic engineer for the bureau said inflows are dropping rapidly, which is the main reason for the decreased releases.

With the lowered releases, residents will have a chance to not only enjoy the river, but places like the boardwalk section of the Green Belt. The boardwalk has been closed since river water submerged it. Brad Raney, director of parks and recreation for the city, said the section will open once the water subsides and city employees can inspect it.

The boardwalk is designed to be submerged, but still needs an inspection to ensure it hasn’t sustained damage.

“We’re looking forward to having it open again,” Raney said.

Raney said Riverside Memorial Park wasn’t closed due to high river flows, but sections of the park were submerged.

Lower releases from the reservoir will result in other river-based activities being more safe for residents.

At its highest, the river nearly touched the bottom of the river bridge connecting Expedition Island to Evers Park.

Flows were so fast the Green River Fire Department had swift water rescue crews boating near Expedition Island during Flaming Gorge Days and a popular swimming spot between the island and park was vacant throughout the FGD weekend.