News Release Archive

Wyoming Area Snowmelt Runoff Forecast - North Platte River Basin

Media Contact: John H. Lawson, (307) 261-5671, jlawson@usbr.gov
Buck Feist, bfeist@usbr.gov

For Release: March 04, 2010

The Wyoming Area Office of the Bureau of Reclamation in Mills, Wyo., has prepared snowmelt runoff forecasts for the North Platte River Basin, according to John H. Lawson, Wyoming Area Manager. The March 1 forecast of the spring snowmelt runoff for the North Platte Basin is below average.

Total April through July runoff in the North Platte Basin above Glendo Dam is expected to be 710,000 acre feet (AF) or 80 percent of the 30 year average of 891,100 AF. Approximately 590,000 AF (84 percent of average) of the runoff is expected to enter Seminoe Reservoir with an additional 30,000 AF (49 percent of average) being provided to Pathfinder Reservoir from the Sweetwater River, and the balance of 90,000 AF (72 percent of average) coming from the basin between Pathfinder Reservoir and Glendo Reservoir.

The water in storage for delivery to North Platte Project contractors is 753,551 AF or 130 percent of average. Since the March 1 forecast is below average, Reclamation continues to encourage water conservation in planning for the upcoming season.

Reclamation will update the inflow forecasts again in April, and May.

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Relevant Link:

Wyoming Area Office Home Page