News Release Archive

Reclamation Issues Snowmelt Forecast for North Platte

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

For Release: February 04, 2016

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 Feb. 1 forecast indicates 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 750,000 acre feet (AF). The April through July expected runoff is comprised of approximately 600,000 AF into Seminoe Reservoir, 30,000 AF into Pathfinder Reservoir from the Sweetwater River, and 120,000 AF from the basin between Pathfinder Reservoir and Glendo Reservoir. The anticipated 750,000 AF is 86% of the 30 year average of 872,100 AF.

The total storage for the North Platte Reservoir System as of January 31, 2016 is 2,020,985 AF, which is 131% of the 30-year average of 1,539,100 AF. The total conservation storage capacity of the North Platte Reservoir System is approximately 2,815,800 AF.

"In spite of projected below average inflows, we anticipate the current above average reservoir storage will allow us to provide our North Platte Basin contractors with a full water supply this year," Ronca said.

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

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Relevant Link:

Wyoming Area Office Home Page