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: April 11, 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 Apr. 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 1,695,000 acre feet (af) or 183% of the 30 year average of 925,100 af. Approximately 1,450,000 af (203% 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.

Due to the well above average forecasted runoff and high reservoir storage, releases from Glendo and Guernsey Reservoirs were initiated in late February and have been increased to a flow of approximately 4,200 cfs. The Release from Kortes Dam has been increased to 5,000 cfs through the Miracle Mile. The release below Pathfinder Dam has been increased to 2,700 cfs and the release from Gray Reef Dam has been increased to 4,500 cfs.

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 May.

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Relevant Link:

Wyoming Area Office Home Page