News Release Archive

Reclamation Issues Snowmelt Runoff Forecast for Bighorn River Basin

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

For Release: May 12, 2014

BILLINGS, Mont. -- Reclamation's April 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 1,075,000 acre-feet (af), which is 162 percent of the 30 year average of 665,000 af. Approximately 72,000 af of the forecasted amount flowed into Buffalo Bill during April, leaving 1,003,000 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 600,000 af, which is 151 percent of the 30 year average of 397,000 af. Approximately 31,000 af of the forecasted amount was received during April, leaving 569,000 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 165,000 af, which is 120 percent of the 30 year average of 137,000 af. Approximately 4,000 af of the forecasted amount flowed into Bull Lake during April, leaving 161,000 af of inflow forecasted for May through July.

  • Boysen Reservoir - Wind River April through July inflow to Boysen Reservoir is forecast at 750,000 af, which is 140 percent of the 30 year average of 534,000 af. Approximately 55,000 af of the forecasted amount flowed into Boysen during April, leaving 695,000 af of inflow forecasted for May through July.

  • Bighorn Lake (Yellowtail Reservoir) - Bighorn River April through July inflow to Bighorn Lake is forecast at 1,952,400 af, which is 183 percent of the 30 year average of 1,069,300 af. Approximately 316,200 af of the forecasted amount flowed into Bighorn Lake during April, leaving 1,636,200 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 W. Smith at 307-261-5671. For additional information on Bighorn Lake/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:

Montana Area Office Home Page

Wyoming Area Office Home Page