Past, Present, and Future of the Pick-Sloan Program for the Missouri River Basin: Operations of Dams under the Pick-Sloan Program

This paper/presentation covers the current operation of the six mainstem dams comprising the Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir System (System) to serve Congressionally authorized purposes. Congress authorized the construction of these dams for flood control, recreation, irrigation, water supply, water quality, navigation, hydropower, and fish and wildlife. The Endangered Species Act also added the requirement to provide special emphasis for Federally listed threatened and endangered species that may be affected by the operation of the System. The System Master Water Control Manual (Master Manual) describes the operation of the six dams as a system to serve the Congressionally authorized project purposes.