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: March 07, 2011

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 Mar. 1 forecast of the spring snowmelt runoff for the North Platte Basin is above average.

Total April through July runoff in the North Platte Basin above Glendo Dam is expected to be 1,475,000 acre feet (af) or 159% of the 30 year average of 925,100 af. Approximately 1,230,000 af (172% of average) of the runoff is expected to enter Seminoe Reservoir with an additional 65,000 af (110% of average) being provided to Pathfinder Reservoir from the Sweetwater River, and the balance of 180,000 af (137% of average) coming from the basin between Pathfinder Reservoir and Glendo Reservoir.

The total storage for the North Platte Reservoir System as of February 28, 2011 is 2,258,801 af, which is 141% of the 30-year average of 1,606,500 af. The total conservation storage capacity is 2,787,800 af for the North Platte Reservoir System.

The release of water from Seminoe Reservoir has been increased to 2,300 cfs, resulting in the Reservoir elevation declining to allow space for upcoming Spring runoff. Currently, releases from Gray Reef Dam are being increased to reach a flow of 3,250 cubic feet per second (cfs) by March 18, 2011. The Gray Reef Dam release of 3,250 cfs will be maintained through the end of April. Because of the high release from Gray Reef Dam in March and April, a flushing flow will not be conducted this spring.

Due to the well above average forecasted runoff and high reservoir storage, releases from Glendo Reservoir were initiated on February 22, 2011 and releases from Guernsey Reservoir were initiated on Feb. 28, 2011. Glendo and Guernsey Reservoir releases are currently being increased to reach a flow of approximately 3,800 cfs by mid March. The early release will provide space for regulation of runoff this spring.

These releases will result in changing reservoir levels. The public should be aware of the changing flows in the North Platte River along with the changing reservoir levels and take proper precautions.

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

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Relevant Link:

Wyoming Area Office Home Page