News Release Archive

Reclamation Issues Snowmelt Runoff Forecast for Bighorn River Basin

Media Contact: Tyler Johnson, (406) 247-7609, tjohnson@usbr.gov

For Release: May 09, 2012

BILLINGS, Mont. -- As of May 1, the Bureau of Reclamation's forecast of April through July runoff predicted for the Shoshone, Wind, and Bighorn River Basins is as follows:

  • Buffalo Bill Reservoir - Shoshone River April through July inflow to Buffalo Bill Reservoir is forecast at 570,000 acre-feet, which is 84 percent of the 30-year average of 679,000 acre-feet. Approximately 85,000 AF of the forecasted amount flowed into Buffalo Bill Reservoir during April, leaving 485,000 AF of inflow forecasted for May through July.
  • Wind River - April through July snowmelt runoff into the Wind River above Bull Lake Creek is expected to be 290,000 acre-feet, which is 70 percent of the 30-year average of 412,000 acre-feet. Approximately 40,000 AF of the forecasted amount was received during April, leaving 250,000 AF of inflow forecasted for May through July.
  • Bull Lake Reservoir - April through July snowmelt runoff into Bull Lake Reservoir from Bull Lake Creek is expected to be 100,000 acre-feet, which is 71 percent of the 30-year average of 141,000 acre-feet. Approximately 8,000 AF of the forecasted amount flowed into Bull Lake during April, leaving 92,000 AF of inflow forecasted for May through July.
  • Boysen Reservoir - Wind River April through July inflow to Boysen Reservoir is forecast at 250,000 acre-feet, which is 44 percent of the 30-year average of 574,000 acre-feet. Approximately 52,000 AF of the forecasted amount flowed into Boysen Reservoir during April, leaving 198,000 AF of inflow forecasted for May through July.
  • Bighorn Lake (Yellowtail Reservoir) - April through July inflow to Yellowtail Reservoir is forecast at 750,000 acre-feet, which is 66 percent of the 30-year average of 1,138,500 AF. Approximately 150,000 AF of the forecasted amount flowed into Yellowtail Reservoir during April, leaving 600,000 AF of inflow forecasted for May through July.

An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover 1 acre (43,560 square feet) 1 foot deep (325,851 gallons or 1,233.5 cubic meters).

For additional information on Buffalo Bill, Boysen and Bull Lake reservoirs, contact Wyoming Area Manager, Coleman W. Smith, Jr., at 307-261-5671.

For additional information on Yellowtail Reservoir, contact Montana Area Manager, Dan Jewell, at 406-247-7298.

The WYAO uses the most recent 30-year period, 1982 to 2011, to determine averages. For more information on snowmelt forecasts and real-time data, please visit the Great Plains Region's Water Operations web site at: www.usbr.gov/gp/lakes_reservoirs.

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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:

Montana Area Office Home Page

Wyoming Area Office Home Page