News Release Archive

Reclamation Issues Snowmelt Runoff Forecast for Bighorn River Basin

Media Contact: Buck Feist, (406) 247-7607, 06/11/2013 00:00

For Release: June 11, 2013

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

  • Buffalo Bill Reservoir - Shoshone River April through July inflow to Buffalo Bill Reservoir is forecast at 500,000 acre-feet (af), which is 75 percent of the 30-year-average of 669,000 af. Approximately 239,000 af of the forecasted amount flowed into Buffalo Bill during April and May, leaving 261,000 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 300,000 af, which is 74 percent of the 30-year-average of 404,000 af. Approximately 107,000 af of the forecasted amount was received during April and May, leaving 193,000 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 110,000 af, which is 79 percent of the 30-year-average of 140,000 af. Approximately 32,000 af of the forecasted amount flowed into Bull Lake during April and May, leaving 78,000 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 562,000 af. Approximately 113,000 af of the forecasted amount flowed into Boysen Reservoir during April and May, leaving 137,000 af of inflow forecasted for June through July.
  • Bighorn Lake - Bighorn River April through July inflow to Bighorn Lake is forecast at 630,000 af, which is 57 percent of the 30-year-average of 1,098,000 af. Approximately 280,000 af of the forecasted amount flowed into Bighorn Lake during April and May, leaving 350,000 af of inflow forecasted for June and 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