News Release Archive

Bighorn River Basin Snowmelt Runoff Forecast

Media Contact: John H. Lawson, (307) 261-5671, jlawson@gp.usbr.gov
Mark Andersen, mandersen@gp.usbr.gov

For Release: February 07, 2005

The Wyoming Area Office of the Bureau of Reclamation in Mills, Wyoming, 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 February 1, forecast of the spring snow melt runoff is above average for the Bull Lake watershed but below normal for all other areas.

The Bighorn Basin forecast indicates inflows from the Shoshone River to Buffalo Bill Reservoir during the April through July period will be 450,000 acre-feet (68% of average), compared to a 30-year average of 662,600 acre-feet.

The Wind River portion of the Bighorn River Basin April through July inflow forecast includes the snowmelt runoff into Bull Lake Reservoir from Bull Lake Creek, which is expected to be 150,000 acre-feet (108% of average), and the snowmelt runoff in the Wind River above Bull Lake Creek, which is expected to be 330,000 acre-feet (79% of average). The expected inflows to Boysen Reservoir for the April through July period are 510,000 acre-feet (89% of average).

The Bureau of Reclamation will update the inflow forecasts again in March, April, May, and June.

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Relevant Link:

Great Plains Home Page

Wyoming Area Office