Reservoirs and their associated dams affect aquatic and riparian environments along their tail waters. Variable flows, low flows, and the loss of spring time flushing flows can have negative effects on aquatic environments below reservoirs. Minimum reservoir releases are used within the Platte River Basin to benefit downstream aquatic and riparian habitats.

No minimum release requirements have been placed on any reservoirs within the Upper Laramie subbasin. Within the entire Platte River Basin in Wyoming, minimum release requirements have been placed on five reservoirs, click here to view a map of the locations of these basin minimum reservoir release sites.