News Release Archive

Wyoming Area Reservoir Conditions - North Platte River Basin

Media Contact: Lyle D. Myler, (307) 261-5676, lmyler@usbr.gov

For Release: February 06, 2012

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 Tom Sawatzke, Acting Wyoming Area Manager. The Feb. 1 forecast indicates the spring snowmelt runoff for the North Platte Basin will be below average.

Total April through July runoff in the North Platte Basin above Glendo Dam is expected to be 745,000 acre feet (af) or 77% of the 30 year average of 967,700 af. Approximately 500,000 af (65% of average) of the runoff is expected to enter Seminoe Reservoir with an additional 60,000 af (98% of average) being provided to Pathfinder Reservoir from the Sweetwater River, and the balance of 185,000 af (135% of average) coming from the basin between Pathfinder Reservoir and Glendo Reservoir.

The total storage for the North Platte Reservoir System as of January 31, 2012 is 2,194,934 af, which is 139% of the 30-year average of 1,576,700 af. The total conservation storage capacity of the North Platte Reservoir System is approximately 2,841,000 af.

Due to above average forecasted inflow between Pathfinder and Glendo Reservoirs and the above average Glendo Reservoir Storage (122% of the 30 year average), releases from Guernsey Reservoir are anticipated to be initiated in early April this year.

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

# # #

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