News Release Archive

Bighorn River Basin Snowmelt Runoff Forecast

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

For Release: February 05, 2008

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 February 1 forecast of the spring snowmelt runoff is expected to be below average for the Shoshone and Wind River Basins.

The Shoshone River portion of the Bighorn River Basin forecasted inflow to Buffalo Bill Reservoir during the April through July period is 600,000 acre-feet (93% of average), compared to a 30-year average of 644,000 acre-feet.

The Wind River portion of the Bighorn River Basin April through July inflow forecast includes the snowmelt runoff into Bull Lake Reservoir from Bull Lake Creek, which is expected to be 120,000 acre-feet (86% of average), and the snowmelt runoff into the Wind River above Bull Lake Creek, which is expected to be 320,000 acre-feet (80% of average). The forecasted inflow to Boysen Reservoir for the April through July period is 400,000 acre-feet (72% of average).

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

# # #

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:

Wyoming Area Office Home Page