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Dworshak Reservoir Early Water Released Due to High Temperatures by Sophie Miraglio KLEW TV, July 3, 2013

OROFINO, ID - Water from the Dworshak dam and reservoir is being released extremely early this year due to the record-setting temperatures and sunny forecast, in an effort to protect fish in area rivers.

In order to cool down the rising water temperatures of the Clearwater and Snake Rivers, officials made a decision to release water from the reservoir throughout the weekend and into the week. On Monday water discharged at a rate of 13,000 cubic feet per second. Officials said the water has made it's way into Lewiston.

"The water temperature is about 55-56 degrees Fahrenheit, it was around 60 degrees a day ago," said Hall. "We can see the water we released from Dworshak has made it that far down the system."

Corps officials said that at noon Monday the Clearwater River temperature at Orofino was 71 degrees, and in order to help boost survival rates for endangered fish, temperatures should be below 68 degrees. This is the earliest water has been released since 2003.