News Release Archive

Reclamation Issues Snowmelt Forecast for Bighorn River Basin

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

For Release: May 09, 2016

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 620,000 acre-feet (af), which is 90 percent of the 30 year average of 686,300 af. Approximately 68,700 af of the forecasted amount flowed into Buffalo Bill during April, leaving 551,300 af of inflow forecasted for May through July.
  • Boysen Reservoir - Wind River April through July inflow to Boysen Reservoir is forecast at 700,000 af, which is 128 percent of the 30 year average of 548,300 af. Approximately 68,600 af of the forecasted amount flowed into Boysen during April, leaving 631,400 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 140,000 af, which is 101 percent of the 30 year average of 138,200 af. Approximately 7,300 af of the forecasted amount flowed into Bull Lake during April, leaving 130,900 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 380,000 af, which is 93 percent of the 30 year average of 405,900 af. Approximately 28,100 af of the forecasted amount was received during April, leaving 351,900 af of inflow forecasted for May through July.
  • Bighorn Lake - Bighorn River April through July inflow to Bighorn Lake is forecast at 1,055,100 af, which is 95 percent of the 30 year average of 1,114,300 af. Approximately 122,000 af of the forecasted amount flowed into Bighorn Lake during May, leaving 933,100 af of inflow forecasted for May through July.

For additional information on Buffalo Bill, Boysen, and Bull Lake Reservoirs, contact Wyoming Area Manager Carlie Ronca at 307-261-5671. For additional information on Yellowtail Reservoir, contact Montana Area Manager Steve Davies 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