Runoff into the Missouri River Basin remains well below normal, prompting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to shorten this year's navigation season. June runoff above Sioux City, Iowa, totaled 2.9 million acre-feet, just 52 percent of average. The Corps now forecasts 2026 runoff at 15.5 million acre-feet, or 60 percent of normal, as dry conditions and below-average mountain snowpack continue across the basin. "Mountain snowpack peaked much earlier than normal this year and completely melted by the end of June," said John Remus, chief of the Corps' Missouri River Basin Water Management Division. "Dry conditions are expected to continue in July." Because of lower water supplies, navigation flow support will end November 15, about two weeks earlier than a normal season. The Corps also says winter releases from Gavins Point Dam will likely be reduced to the minimum rate if dry conditions persist.
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