News Release Archive

Wyoming Area Snowmelt Runoff Forecast - Bighorn Basin

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

For Release: March 03, 2011

The Wyoming Area Office of the Bureau of Reclamation in Mills, Wyo., 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 Mar. 1 forecast of the spring snowmelt runoff indicates above average April through July snowmelt runoff can be expected at all forecast locations within the Bighorn Basin in Wyoming.

The Shoshone River portion of the Bighorn River Basin forecasted inflow to Buffalo Bill Reservoir during the April through July period is 780,000 acre-feet (af) (118 percent of average), compared to a 30-year average of 661,000 af.

In the Wind River portion of the Bighorn River Basin, the April through July snowmelt runoff into Bull Lake Reservoir from Bull Lake Creek is expected to be 145,000 af (104 percent of average), and the snowmelt runoff into the Wind River above Bull Lake Creek is expected to be 450,000 af (112 percent of average). The forecasted inflow to Boysen Reservoir for the April through July period is 600,000 af (108 percent of average), compared to a 30-year average of 556,000 af.

The Wyoming Area Office uses the most recent 30-year period (1981-2010) to determine average.

# # #

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