Federal water managers are changing release and storage schedules at several Pacific Northwest dams because of a late season and strong atmospheric river that began late last week.  Significant amounts of rainfall have fallen across the Columbia River Basin filling reservoirs and rivers.  To assist in managing river stages at Vancouver, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is increasing storage behind John Day Dam.  Most dams on the Columbia and lower Snake rivers are “run of river” projects, but the John Day Dam provides for some storage capacity to aid in reducing flooding in the lower Columbia River.  The Corps will manage the reservoir up to elevation 268 feet by Thursday, which may impact shoreline trails and parks along the John Day reservoir shoreline.  Current flood risk management operations limiting outflows at John Day Dam is expected to keep the Columbia River at Vancouver just at flood stage, with an expected peak Monday.   Reservoirs in the Columbia Basin are being operated to release sufficient water to preserve storage space and capture incoming runoff. There are currently no control points downstream of Corps projects that are forecast to exceed flood stage, although several points throughout the basin will reach flood stage.