News Release Archive

Reclamation Issues Snowmelt Forecast for North Platte

Media Contact: Coleman W. Smith, (307) 261-5671, cwsmith@usbr.gov

For Release: March 06, 2014

MILLS, Wyo. -- The Wyoming Area Office of the Bureau of Reclamation in Mills, Wyo., has prepared snowmelt runoff forecasts for the North Platte River Basin. According to Wyoming Area Manager Coleman Smith, the March 1 forecast indicates the spring snowmelt runoff for the North Platte Basin will be about 11 percent above average.

Total April through July runoff in the North Platte Basin above Glendo Dam is expected to be 985,000 acre feet (AF) or 111 percent of the 30 year average of 887,700 AF. Approximately 800,000 AF (113 percent of average) of the runoff is expected to enter Seminoe Reservoir with an additional 50,000 AF (92 percent of average) being provided to Pathfinder Reservoir from the Sweetwater River, and the balance of 135,000 AF (109 percent of average) coming from the basin between Pathfinder Reservoir and Glendo Reservoir.

The total storage for the North Platte Reservoir System as of February 28, is 1,194,700 AF, which is 73 percent of the 30-year average of 1,634,100 AF. The total conservation storage capacity of the North Platte Reservoir System is approximately 2,815,800 AF. The water in storage for delivery to North Platte Project contractors as of February 28, is 282,900 AF or 47 percent of average.

Reclamation will update the inflow forecasts again in April and May.

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Relevant Link:

Wyoming Area Office Home Page