Experimental release scheduled at Glen Canyon Dam

PAGE, Ariz. — The U.S. Department of the Interior has scheduled another high-flow experimental release at Glen Canyon Dam in Page.

The Nov. 19 release will be the first at the dam since 2008. This one is expected to last nearly five days.

It's part of a long-term protocol announced in May by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to meet water and power needs.

Federal officials say the release will allow better conservation of sediment downstream, control non-native fish predation and continue scientific experimentation in the Colorado River below the dam.

Scientists have determined that the right conditions exist to conduct a high-flow release to benefit downstream resources including camping beaches, sandbars, backwater habitats and riparian vegetation.