News Release Archive

Reclamation Issues Snowmelt Runoff Forecast for Bighorn River Basin

Media Contact: Buck Feist, (406) 247-7607, bfeist@usbr.gov

For Release: March 08, 2013

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

  • Buffalo Bill Reservoir – Shoshone River April through July inflow to Buffalo Bill Reservoir is forecast at 550,000 acre-feet (af), which is 82 percent of the 30 year average of 669,000 af.


  • Wind River – April through July snowmelt runoff into the Wind River above Bull Lake Creek is expected to be 350,000 af, which is 87 percent of the 30 year average of 404,000 af.


  • Bull Lake Reservoir – April through July snowmelt runoff into Bull Lake Reservoir from Bull Lake Creek is expected to be 125,000 af, which is 89 percent of the 30 year average of 140,000 af.


  • Boysen Reservoir – Wind River April through July inflow to Boysen Reservoir is forecast at 400,000 af, which is 71 percent of the 30 year average of 562,000 af.


  • Bighorn Lake (Yellowtail Dam) – April through July inflow to Bighorn Lake is forecast at 688,000 af, which is 63 percent of the 30 year average of 1,098,000 af.

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 Brent Esplin at 406-247-7298.

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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:

Wyoming Area Office Home Page

Montana Area Office Home Page