News Release Archive

Reclamation Issues Snowmelt Runoff Forecast for Bighorn River Basin

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

For Release: June 11, 2014

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 950,000 acre-feet (af), which is 143 percent of the 30 year average of 665,000 af. Approximately 389,000 af of the forecasted amount flowed into Buffalo Bill during April and May, leaving 561,000 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 500,000 af, which is 126 percent of the 30 year average of 397,000 af. Approximately 143,000 af of the forecasted amount was received during April and May, leaving 357,000 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 135,000 af, which is 98 percent of the 30 year average of 137,000 af. Approximately 38,000 af of the forecasted amount flowed into Bull Lake during April and May, leaving 97,000 af of inflow forecasted for June through July.

  • Boysen Reservoir - Wind River April through July inflow to Boysen Reservoir is forecast at 600,000 af, which is 112 percent of the 30 year average of 534,000 af. Approximately 245,000 af of the forecasted amount flowed into Boysen during April and May, leaving 355,000 af of inflow forecasted for June through July.

  • Bighorn Lake (Yellowtail Reservoir) - Bighorn River April through July inflow to Bighorn Lake is forecast at 1,633,400 af, which is 153 percent of the 30 year average of 1,069,300 af. Approximately 850,500 af of the forecasted amount flowed into Bighorn Lake during April and May, leaving 782,900 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 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