News Release Archive

Wyoming Area Reservoir Conditions - North Platte River Basin

Media Contact: John H. Lawson, (307) 261-5671, jlawson@usbr.gov
Tyler Johnson, tjohnson@usbr.gov

For Release: June 23, 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 Wyoming Area Manager John H. Lawson.

Releases from Seminoe reservoir into the North Platte River through the Miracle Mile Area were reduced to 7,000 cfs on June 22.

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 23 were approximately 4,000 cfs with a total release of 7,200 cfs being made from Pathfinder Reservoir. Releases from the spillway are expected to continue through early July.

Releases from Gray Reef Dam are 7,000 cfs today and are expected to remain at that level through the end of the month.

Glendo Reservoir remains in the exclusive flood control pool and the water surface is expected to rise more than 2 feet, to an elevation of 4649.8 feet by early July before starting to decline. The reservoir is anticipated to remain in the flood control pool until early 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 4,400 cfs. Based on the current forecast, the releases from Glendo and Guernsey Reservoirs are expected to be gradually increased to 6,700 cfs in early July, as irrigation demands increase.

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 providing county emergency management entities updated information regarding reservoir operations.

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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Relevant Link:

Wyoming Area Office Home Page