News Release Archive

Snowmelt Runoff Forecast - Bighorn River Basin

Media Contact: John H. Lawson, (307) 261-5671, jlawson@gp.usbr.gov
Mark Andersen, mandersen@gp.usbr.gov

For Release: January 07, 2004

The Wyoming Area Office of the Bureau of Reclamation in Mills, Wyoming, has prepared snowmelt runoff forecasts for the Shoshone and Wind Rivers of the Bighorn River Basin, according to John H. Lawson, Wyoming Area Manager. The January 1, forecast of the spring snow melt runoff is below normal for all areas.

The Bighorn Basin forecast indicates inflows from the Shoshone River to Buffalo Bill Reservoir during the April through July period will be 630,000 acre-feet (92% of average), compared to a 30-year average of 684,000 acre-feet.

The Wind River portion of the Bighorn River Basin April through July inflow forecasts include the snowmelt runoff into Bull Lake Reservoir from Bull Lake Creek, which is expected to be 120,000 acre-feet (85% of average), and the snowmelt runoff into the Wind River above Bull Lake Creek, which is expected to be 340,000 acre-feet (80% of average). The expected inflows to Boysen Reservoir for the April through July period are 440,000 acre-feet (75% of average). With Boysen Reservoir storage near record low and below average inflow forecasted for April through July of this year, water users will need to take measures to conserve the available water supply.

The Bureau of Reclamation will update the inflow forecasts again in February, March, April, May, and June.

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Relevant Link:

Great Plains Water Operations

Great Plains Water Supply Reports