News Release Archive

Reclamation Issues Snowmelt Runoff Forecast for Bighorn River Basin

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

For Release: June 14, 2012

BILLINGS, Mont. -- Reclamation's June forecast of the April through July runoff for the Bighorn Basin is as follows:

  • Buffalo Bill Reservoir – Shoshone River April through July inflow to Buffalo Bill Reservoir is forecast at 630,000 acre-feet (AF), which is 93 percent of the 30-year average of 679,000 AF. Approximately 222,000 AF of the forecasted amount flowed into Buffalo Bill Reservoir during April and May, leaving 408,000 AF of inflow forecasted for June through July.
  • Wind River – April through July snowmelt runoff into the Wind River above Bull Lake Creek is expected to be 290,000 AF, which is 70 percent of the 30-year average of 412,000 AF. Approximately 110,000 AF of the forecasted amount was received during April and May, leaving 180,000 AF of inflow forecasted for June through July.
  • Bull Lake Reservoir – April through July snowmelt runoff into Bull Lake Reservoir from Bull Lake Creek is expected to be 100,000 AF, which is 71 percent of the 30-year average of 141,000 AF. Approximately 33,000 AF of the forecasted amount flowed into Bull Lake during April and May, leaving 67,000 AF of inflow forecasted for June through July.
  • Boysen Reservoir – Wind River April through July inflow to Boysen Reservoir is forecast at 250,000 AF, which is 44 percent of the 30-year average of 574,000 AF. Approximately 103,000 AF of the forecasted amount flowed into Boysen Reservoir during April and May, leaving 147,000 AF of inflow forecasted for June through July.
  • Bighorn Lake (Yellowtail Reservoir) – April through July inflow to Yellowtail Reservoir is forecast at 690,400 acre-feet, which is 62 percent of the 30 year average of 1,108,200 AF. Approximately 354,400 AF of the forecasted amount flowed into Yellowtail Reservoir during April and May, leaving 336,000 AF of inflow forecasted for June 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 307-261-5676.

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

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Relevant Link:

Montana Area Office Home Page

Wyoming Area Office Home Page