News Release Archive

Reclamation Issues Snowmelt Forecast for North Platte

Media Contact: Carlie Ronca, (307) 261-5671, cronca@usbr.gov

For Release: April 06, 2015

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 Carlie Ronca, Wyoming Area Manager. The April 1 forecasts indicate the spring snowmelt runoff for the North Platte Basin will be below average.

Total April through July runoff in the North Platte Basin above Glendo Dam is expected to be 310,000 acre feet (AF). The April through July expected runoff is comprised of approximately 250,000 AF into Seminoe Reservoir, 20,000 AF into Pathfinder Reservoir from the Sweetwater River, and 40,000 AF from the basin between Pathfinder Reservoir and Glendo Reservoir. The anticipated 310,000 AF is 36% of the 30 year average of 870,000 AF.

The total conservation storage capacity of the North Platte Reservoir System is approximately 2,815,800 AF. Current total storage for the North Platte Reservoir System, as of March 31, is 1,937,900 AF, which is 117% of the 30-year average of 1,662,300 AF.

"Despite the forecast, because of very good current reservoir storage conditions, we anticipate being able to provide our North Platte Basin contractors with a full water supply this year," Ronca said.

Reclamation will update the inflow forecasts again in May.

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Relevant Link:

Wyoming Area Office Home Page