News Release Archive

Reclamation Issues Snowmelt Forecast for Bighorn River Basin

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

For Release: June 10, 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 650,000 acre-feet (af), which is 95 percent of the 30 year average of 686,300 af. Approximately 243,300 af of the forecasted amount flowed into Buffalo Bill during April and May, leaving 406,700 af of inflow forecasted for June through July.
  • Boysen Reservoir - Wind River April through July inflow to Boysen Reservoir is forecast at 750,000 af, which is 137 percent of the 30 year average of 548,300 af. Approximately 339,700 af of the forecasted amount flowed into Boysen during April and May, leaving 410,300 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 160,000 af, which is 116 percent of the 30 year average of 138,200 af. Approximately 60,500 af of the forecasted amount flowed into Bull Lake during April and May, leaving 99,500 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 380,000 af, which is 93 percent of the 30 year average of 405,900 af. Approximately 122,700 af of the forecasted amount was received during April and May, leaving 257,300 af of inflow forecasted for June through July.
  • Bighorn Lake - Bighorn River April through July inflow to Bighorn Lake is forecast at 1,088,300 af, which is 98 percent of the 30 year average of 1,114,300 af. Approximately 480,300 af of the forecasted amount flowed into Bighorn Lake during April and May, leaving 608,000 af of inflow forecasted for June and 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