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Reclamation Issues Snowmelt Forecast for North Platte
Media Contact:
Coleman Smith, (307) 261-5671, cwsmith@usbr.gov
For Release: March 04, 2013
MILLS, Wyo. -- The Bureau of Reclamation's Wyoming Area Office has prepared snowmelt runoff forecasts for the North Platte River Basin. According to Wyoming Area Manager Coleman Smith, the Mar. 1 forecast indicates below average spring snowmelt runoff for the North Platte Basin.
April through July runoff in the North Platte Basin above Glendo Dam is expected to be 300,000 acre feet (AF) or 32 percent of the 30-year-average of 944,600 AF. Approximately 260,000 AF of runoff (35 percent of average) is expected to enter Seminoe Reservoir with an additional 20,000 AF (34 percent of average) being provided to Pathfinder Reservoir from the Sweetwater River, and the balance of 20,000 AF (15 percent of average) coming from the basin between Pathfinder Reservoir and Glendo Reservoir.
The water in storage for delivery to North Platte Project contractors as of Feb. 28, is 254,600 AF or 41 percent of average.
Smith said, "Reclamation is advising North Platte Project water users that an allocation is expected. With reservoir storage well below average and below average inflow forecasted for April through July, water users will need to take measures to conserve the available water supply."
With the current forecast, river flows throughout the system are expected to be much less than average and below last year's flows. Reclamation will update the inflow forecasts again in April and May.
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