News Release Archive

Reclamation Issues Snowmelt Runoff Forecast for Bighorn River Basin

Media Contact: Buck Feist, (406) 247-7610, 05/10/2013 09:26

For Release: May 10, 2013

BILLINGS, Mont. -- Reclamation's May forecast for 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 550,000 acre-feet (af), which is 82 percent of the 30 year average of 669,000 af. Approximately 26,000 af of the forecasted amount flowed into Buffalo Bill during April, leaving 524,000 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 310,000 af, which is 77 percent of the 30 year average of 404,000 af. Approximately 24,000 af of the forecasted amount was received during April, leaving 286,000 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 120,000 af, which is 86 percent of the 30 year average of 140,000 af. Approximately 3,000 af of the forecasted amount flowed into Bull Lake during April, leaving 117,000 af of inflow forecasted for May through July.
  • Boysen Reservoir – Wind River April through July inflow to Boysen Reservoir is forecast at 375,000 af, which is 67 percent of the 30 year average of 562,000 af. Approximately 33,000 af of the forecasted amount flowed into Boysen Reservoir during April, leaving 342,000 af of inflow forecasted for May through July.
  • Bighorn River – April through July inflow to Bighorn Lake is forecast at 678,000 af, which is 62 percent of the 30 year average of 1,098,000 af. Approximately 99,000 af of the forecasted amount flowed into Bighorn Lake during April, leaving 579,000 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 Smith Jr., 307-261-5676.

For additional information on Yellowtail Reservoir, contact Montana Area Manager Brent Esplin, 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:

Montana Area Office Home Page

Wyoming Area Office Home Page