Reclamation issues snowmelt forecast for North Platte River Basin

Media Contact: Michael Follum, 307-258-3912, mfollum@usbr.gov

For Release: February 12, 2021

MILLS, Wyo. - The Wyoming Area Office of the Bureau of Reclamation has prepared the February snowmelt runoff forecasts and operating plans for the North Platte River Basin.

The February forecasts indicate the spring snowmelt runoff will be below average. Total April through July runoff in the North Platte River Basin above Glendo Dam is expected to be 555,000 acre-feet (af), which is 60% of the 30-year average.

The total conservation storage capacity of the North Platte Reservoir System is approximately 2,815,800 af. As of January 31, 2021, the combined storage content in the North Platte Reservoirs was 1,719,900 af, which is 108% of the 30-year average.

Current releases are 530 cubic feet per second (cfs) from Seminoe Reservoir through the Miracle Mile. Releases out of Gray Reef Reservoir are 500 cfs. Releases out of Gray Reef Dam will be reduced to 450 cfs out of concern for spilling water at Glendo Reservoir during the spring melt. Releases out of Guernsey Reservoir are 0 cfs. Based on current projections for the months of May, June, and July, the releases out of Seminoe Reservoir are expected to peak at around 1,700 cfs, while flows out of Gray Reef are expected to be in the range of approximately 2,000 to 3,000 cfs. Releases from Guernsey will be in the 3,000 to 5,200 cfs range. Pathfinder Reservoir is not expected to spill this spring.

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