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Wyoming Area Reservoir Conditions - North Platte River Basin
Media Contact:
John H. Lawson, 307-261-5671, 06/18/2010 21:47
Tyler Johnson, 406-247-7610, tjohnson@usbr.gov
For Release: June 18, 2010
CASPER, Wyo. - The Wyoming Area Office of the Bureau of Reclamation in Mills, Wyo., is advising that due to continued snowmelt runoff and recent rainfall events, all North Platte Reservoirs are at or near capacity this year, according to John H. Lawson, Wyoming Area Manager.
"We are working around the clock to manage the releases from the North Platte Reservoirs to minimize impacts," said Lawson.
The inflows into Seminoe Reservoir reached a record high of 19,376 cubic feet per second (cfs) on June 15, 2010, before starting to decline. The cumulative inflows into Seminoe Reservoir are by far the highest of record for the first half of June. Releases from Seminoe reservoir into the North Platte River through the Miracle Mile Area exceeded 15,000 cfs on June 14, before being reduced to the current rate of 7,000 cfs.
With the increased inflow into Pathfinder Reservoir, flows over the uncontrolled spillway at Pathfinder Dam began on June 15. Releases over the Pathfinder spillway on the morning of June 16 were approximately 2,500 cfs. Releases over the Pathfinder spillway will continue to increase and are expected to peak around June 29. Releases from the spillway are expected to continue through the first half of July.
Releases from Gray Reef Dam on June 18 were 6,500 cfs and are expected to remain at that rate until July 1 when they will be slowly reduced to about 5,000 cfs near mid July.
Glendo Reservoir remains in the exclusive flood control pool and is expected to rise approximately 6 more feet, exceeding an elevation of 4650 feet of water by late June before starting to decline. The reservoir is anticipated to remain in the flood control pool until mid August. Releases from Glendo Reservoir will be as directed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in collaboration with the Bureau of Reclamation while in the flood control pool.
The release from Guernsey Reservoir is currently 2,600 cfs. Based on the current forecast, as downstream flows diminish, the releases from Glendo and Guernsey Reservoirs are expected to gradually increase to 6,700 cfs in early July.
Reservoir releases will be adjusted as necessary in response to changing weather and inflow conditions in the basin. The above reservoir release information is subject to change. The Bureau of Reclamation continues to provide county emergency management entities updated information regarding reservoir operations.
According to Wyoming State Parks representatives, campgrounds are now completely full at Glendo and are expected to be completely full at Guernsey by the end of the day, due to reduced campground space as a result of the high water level at Glendo reservoir. For more information, call: (307) 836-2334 or log on to www.wyoparks.org.
The Bureau of Reclamation is advising the public to use caution with regard to rising reservoir levels, changing reservoir releases, and river flow conditions at this time.
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