News Release Archive

Reclamation Issues Snowmelt Forecast for Bighorn River Basin

Media Contact: Tyler Johnson, (406) 247-7609, tjohnson@usbr.gov

For Release: January 10, 2017

BILLINGS, Mont. -- Reclamation's January forecast of the April through July runoff predicted for the Bighorn Basin is as follows:

  • Bighorn Lake - Bighorn River April through July inflow to Bighorn Lake is forecast at 1,383,800 acre-feet (af), which is 127 percent of the 30 year average of 1,093,400 af.
  • Buffalo Bill Reservoir - Shoshone River April through July inflow to Buffalo Bill Reservoir is forecast at 780,000 af, which is 115 percent of the 30 year average of 677,200 af.
  • Boysen Reservoir - Wind River April through July inflow to Boysen Reservoir is forecast at 730,000 af, which is 135 percent of the 30 year average of 540,000 af.
  • Bull Lake Reservoir - April through July snowmelt runoff into Bull Lake Reservoir from Bull Lake Creek is expected to be 160,000 af, which is 118 percent of the 30 year average of 136,000 af.
  • Wind River - April through July snowmelt runoff into the Wind River above Bull Lake Creek is expected to be 480,000 af, which is 121 percent of the 30 year average of 398,100 af.

For additional information on Buffalo Bill, Boysen, and Bull Lake Reservoirs, contact Wyoming Area Manager Carlie Ronca at 307-261-5671. For additional information on Yellowtail Reservoir, contact Montana Area Manager Steve Davies at 406-247-7298.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

Montana Area Office Home Page

Wyoming Area Office Home Page